Kerala silent on how cops lost out on Republic Day medals

Kochi: The state government has refused to divulge details of the Republic Day gaffe related to police medals citing security concerns. The state in a reply under RTI claimed that it cannot reveal details including why it did not send out a list to the Union government for police medals. The RTI reply clarified that as per the Government Order in 2013, confidential information need not be revealed. The state replied that the information sought by the applicant was confidential in nature and cannot be divulged.

Santhosh Kumar R., under secretary in the home department said, “In exercise of the powers conferred by Sub-section (4) of Section 24 of the RTI Act, 2005 the government has issued notification under Government Order dated February 7, 2006 specifying the following eight intelligence and security organisations established by the state. RTI activist Raju Vazhakkala made an application under RTI Act seeking details of the police medals.

Raju sought information such as: “How many persons were included in the list and how many received police medal.” He also sought information pertaining to the date on which the list was sent to the Centre. “When was the last date to submit the list for consideration of police medals. If the list is not sent, cite the reason for not sending any list to the Union government.” “I do not know why the government refused to give details. I am planning to challenge the same by filing an appeal to the state home department,” said Raju Vazhakkala.