Lokesh Batra lauds people for playing key role for amending RTI Act

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," he said.

"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 added.

Batra warned that this proposed amendment could bring similar arguments from all other NGOs, private bodies who get substantially funded from tax-payer money, and added that even the corporate bodies working on projects on PPP models can take the same stand.

"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," Batra said.

He further said that there is no reason, which justifies any amendment to the RTI Act, 2005 by the government without consulting all the stakeholders and citizenry at large that include 'NGO's and Social activists', and added that this can be done by referring the proposed amendment to the parliamentary standing committee.