Anna Hazare On Hunger Strike Against RTI Amendments

Adding to the ongoing protests and campaigns by various NGO's and other sections of the society, social reformer turned corruption crusader Anna Hazare is on an indefinite hunger strike at the Sant Dynaneshwar Temple at Alandi - on the outskirts of Pune, protesting against the Union Cabinet's decision to remove the file notings of crucial departments from the scope of the Right to Information Act (RTI).

Also protesting against the irregularities in the functioning of CAPART (Council for Advancement of Peoples’ Action and Rural Technology) and its failure to provide information as per the provisions of RTI the 66-year old Ramon Magsaysay Award winner has also threatened to return his Padma Bhushan.

Experts say the proposed amendment could mean a death blow to the Act. For, it excludes file notings, except for those relating to development and social issues. This means though the decisions of the government would be known, the basis on which they have been taken will not be given.

The proposed amendment will also deny any access to identities of those who have recorded notings. There will be no access to information on decisions in process. This means nobody would be able to question delays in any sector.

Accusing Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of succumbing to the pressure of a lobby of corrupt bureaucrats and ministers, Hazare said that the amendments were an attempt to hide the corrupt practices of this lobby.