VP Ansari replies to RTI query on Yoga Day within two days

In his reply he said, "No invitation was received for the event 'Yoga Day' observed at Rajpath on June 21"

In a record of sorts, the office of Vice President Hamid Ansari has responded within two days to an RTI application seeking to know the reason for his absence from Yoga Day celebrations held here last Sunday, saying he was not invited for the event.

Public authorities are expected to respond to RTI appplications within 30 days but such alacrity in sending replies is rarely witnessed.

Responding to an RTI query dated June 22, filed by one Paras Nath Singh of Mallapuram, the Secretariat of the Vice President, in a letter dated June 24 said,"No invitation was received for the event 'Yoga Day' observed at Rajpath on June 21."

Singh said he received the response within four days of him sending the RTI application.

Former Chief Information Commissioner Satyananda Mishra said other public authorities should learn from the VP's office and respond to RTI pleas within time.

"Its a rare thing to see public authorities answering a query within two days. I think it should be welcomed," he said.

Former Information Commissioner Shailesh Gandhi also said top offices like those of the President, Prime Minister and Vice President should set examples for other public authorities.

"It is good that they (VP's office) had responded to the RTI application within two days but they should try to answer bulk of applications within a week," he said.

Ansari's absence from Yoga Day celebrations was questioned by senior BJP leader Ram Madhav which created a controversy. Minister of State for AYUSH Sripad Naik had said Ansari was not invited as Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the chief guest at the Rajpath event and inviting Vice President to it would have breached protocol. The row got a burial after Naik tendered apology over the controversy.