Thiruvananthapuram: Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala, on Thursday, severely criticised the government stance that the cabinet decisions would not come under the purview of the RTI Act.
He alleged that Pinarayi is attempting to become a monarch.
“Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) Vinson M Paul has clarified that the government has to provide the details of cabinet decisions under the RTI Act only in instances where orders are issued. If so, why the government is moving court against the stance of the CIC,” he asked.
Asking whether the legal advisor of the government is giving such advices, Chennithala said such claims would not even be considered during the hearing and they would be dismissed.
“The LDF tried to create a smokescreen by alleging that the UDF government took 782 controversial decisions during the fag end of its tenure. Later, they said the number came down to 32 after a scrutiny by the sub-committee. If so, why is the government is hesitating to revise those decisions. This move was intended at maligning the image of the previous government and to prevent the cabinet decisions reaching the public,” Chennithala alleged.
“Why those claim that the UPA government passed the RTI Act with their support want to do away with the vital sections of the Act,” he asked.
“The UDF government never took any decision against publicising the cabinet decisions through RTI Act. No RTI activist had raised any complaint. The lone exception was the complaint related to ‘T’ branch. However, the cabinet had annulled the order regarding the ‘T’ branch,” he added.
