New Delhi, Oct 12 (IANS) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Friday called for limiting of citizen's right to information if it infringes upon individual privacy, an issue that cropped up after Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi sought details of Congress chief Sonia Gandhi's foreign travel bills, which include those for health reasons.
"Citizens' rights to know should definitely be circumscribed if
disclosure of information encroaches upon someone's
personal privacy,"
Manmohan Singh said, addressing the annual convention of information commissioners here.
Highlighting concerns over possible infringement of personal privacy when the government provides information under the
RTI
(Right To Information) Act, 2005, he also called for a fine balance
between right to information and right to privacy, describing the
dichotomy "a complicated question".
Noting that there were concerns about "frivolous and vexatious use"
of the law in demanding information, the disclosure of which cannot
possibly serve any public purpose, he also said public authorities
should not view the law as "an irritant" but as one that does collective
good.
"Concerns have also been raised regarding possible infringement of personal privacy while providing information under the
RTI Act."
"There is a fine balance required to be maintained between the RTI
and the right to privacy, which stems out of the fundamental rights to
life and liberty," Manmohan Singh said.
"But where to draw the line is a complicated question," he said, but
did not mention Modi's demand that Gandhi's travel bills be made public
while citing media reports of an RTI response from the government in
this regard.
Referring to a Supreme Court order on appointment of retired apex
court judges and high court chief justices as heads of Central
Information Commission (CIC) and state information commissions (SICs),
the prime minister said he was aware there had been "some confusion"
about its implications on composition of the panels at the central and
state levels.
"As you might be aware, the government has decided to go in review
before the Supreme Court in this matter," he said, a day after the
central government moved a petition seeking review of the Sep 13 apex
court order.
Manmohan Singh also noted that issues relating to how much
information relating to entities set up under public-private
partnerships (PPP) be disclosed under RTI too needed to be addressed.
He said blanket extension of the RTI Act to such PPP bodies may
discourage private enterprises to enter into partnerships with the
public sector. A blanket exclusion, on the other hand, may harm the
cause of accountability of public officials, he added.
"This important legislation should not be only about criticising,
ridiculing, and running down public authorities. RTI should be more
about promoting transparency and accountability, spreading information
and awareness and empowering the citizen."
Citizens, Manmohan Singh said, feel empowered because of the RTI as
95.5 percent applications relating to central government authorities are
cleared at the first stage.
"The potential for good, constructive use of the RTI is perhaps far
greater than what its current status would indicate," he said, adding
that there was need to "change perceptions" on RTI among public
authorities.
Ride 4 Peace: India to vietnam
Tuesday, we entered the land of compassion, love and humbles. There
is only one big check post gate between India and Bhutan at the border
in Phuntsholing. I was able to feel the amazing positive vibes of Bhutan
as soon as I entered. We got our tourist visas in just 30 minutes as
well as permits to ride our bikes in Bhutan. Since both are valid only
for seven days, you have to go to the capital, Thimphu to extend them.
Opposite the immigration office building is a small restaurant with the
best chole bhatura I have ever had. What makes the food delicious is its
pureness. You will not find half water in your litre of milk. You will
not find the use of bad oil for preparing food. In fact, just a day
before reaching Bhutan we heard that Bhutan is going to be the first 100
per cent organic nation in the world.
On our way to Thimphu we had to stop at Gedu, a small village 50
kilometres from Phuntsholing border, because of rains and fog. We didn’t
know anyone in Gedu and we were told that there no hotels. We had
dinner at a small restaurant and made friends with the owners, who
helped us find a guest house. A truly amazing place, we paid just 600
Ngultrum (equal to 600 Indian rupees) for thebest hotel room on the trip
so far. Next morning, I saw my life’s best sunrise and though it was
cold outside, I could not resist taking pictures. We set out finally at
noon, reaching Thimphu by nightfall.
In the meanwhile I wrote to
the Tourism Council of Bhutan via Twitter and Facebook and tried our
luck to find some inspiring people through them. In a few hours we had a
response and they arranged some meetings for us — one at the Tarayana
Foundation and the other with the Bhutan Youth Development Fund.
Tarayana
Foundation works to help enhance the lives of individuals and
communities of Bhutan.“We work from the heart for a happy and prosperous
Bhutan. And when you work with compassion and integrity, you will
always get success,” says Chime P. Wangdi, Secretary General, Tarayana
Foundation. Simply Bhutan — a project of Bhutan Youth Development Fund —
has created the experiences of a village house. This will help to
maintain the real, cultural Bhutan. One can experience the feel of a
village house without going out to rural areas.
A nation of
humble and compassionate people, Bhutan believes in collective and
community work rather than just individual progress. More will always be
less to describe Bhutan. In order to feel and experience it in a true
way you have to visit here.
The columnist is on a peace
mission along with friend Parth Vasvada. The duo will ride across eight
countries and 13,000 km Every week they will share their travel tales
with us.
Located on the banks of River Yamuna, Delhi. Akshardham Temple is a
magnificent shrine. This shrine is dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan, a
Jain deity. The temple enshrines a 11 ft tall gilded statue of Bhagwan
Swaminarayan made in Bangkok with five different metals (Panchdhatu). The building is constructed entirely using Pink sandstone and Italian marble, without any concrete or steel.
The intricate carvings all over the magnanimous structure make the
temple a masterpiece of art. Akshardham is also a part of BAPS’s
initiative to promote Indian art, culture and values. BAPS also has a
charitable arm, know as BAPS Care, working for the betterment of the
people.
Every evening the center comes to life with a colourful musical water fountain that echoes Vedic rhymes and is worth watching.
Visiting time: April-Sep 7:15 am to 7:00 pm & Oct-Mar 6:15 am to 6:30 pm, Daily.
Entry Fee: Free and open to all.
Tip: Carry only necessary things, as you have deposit everything (except money) at the counter for security reasons.