No threat to RTI activists

Hyderabad: RTI activists are pleased that they will no longer have to provide addresses while filing an application if they have a post box number to communicate.

According to a recent order by the personnel ministry, government departments have been ordered not to insist on an address if the applicant mentions a post box number. This order will lessen threats to their lives, say whistleblowers.

While state information commissioners agree with the verdict and say it is definitely good for the applicants as it is in compliance with the law, officials say that sometimes it is important to get details of the applicant if the nature of the information sought is sensitive.

Stating an example, an official said that an applicant had sought for details of Ajmal Kasab and the money spent on his medical expenses and stay in jail. “I was curious about the motive. The applicant comes from a colony in Hyderabad. How was this information relevant?” the official said.

State information commissioner P. Vijaya Babu, however, said, “Any citizen of India or state can seek any information pertaining to every public authority and the public information officer cannot question him or her. If they can provide a correspondence address, then that is enough. This is an excellent protection for citizens,” he explained.

RTI activist Rakesh Reddy Dubbudu said that this was definitely a good decision. “People who work hard in gathering information about scams and other sensitive stuff can get the information without any obstructions. If we are seeking transparency, then this is a good decision.”