RTI activist Commodore (retired) Lokesh K. Batra has lauded the people of India and the media for playing a pivotal role in compelling the government to reconsider its decision to amend the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
"It has been proved once again that India is a robust democracy where peoples' voices are respected. I would like to thank the parliamentarians too, for listening to the people. I must say we need to continue with pressure. At the same time, be ready for putting your views across to the parliament standing committee. I want to convey a deep gratitude to you all and the media, which stood by peoples' cause and provided complete support," he said.
"If we go by media reports of the last 48 hours - or the views of Arun Jaitley, the leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha published by media - it might be possible that the following two paragraphs of the media story could have made him think again," he added.
He warned that this proposed amendment could bring similar arguments from all other NGOs, private bodies who get substantially funded from tax-payer money. Even the corporate bodies working on projects on PPP models can take the same stand.
"In the instant case, we cannot see any reason, which justifies any amendment to the RTI Act, 2005 by the government without consulting all the stakeholders and citizenry at large that include 'Non-Governmental Organisations and Social activists'. This can be done by referring the proposed amendment to the parliamentary standing committee," he added.