Munnar demolitions and Right to Information
Official reluctance to part with information is legendary. The tendency is even to keep Government orders, which were public documents even before the arrival of the Right to Information Act. Here is is an example of how the officialdom reacts to requests for sensitive information.
The request is just for copies of the orders relevant to the Munnar
operations. But Revenue and General Administration Departments maintain
that no such orders are in existance. On second appeal to the State
Information Commission, the Commission has ordered an enquiry. (Copy of the Order)
Roy Mathew
F-42 RBI Quarters
Plammoodu, Pattom
Trivandrum 695001
Public Information Officer
Revenue Department
Secretariat, Trivandrum 695001
Dear Sir,
Sub: Request for information under Right to Information Act, regarding.
I request you to provide me with copies of all orders issued by the Government on the basis of the enquiry reports of the Principal Secretary (Revenue) Mrs. Nivedita P. Haran and Secretary (Land Board) Mr. Sanal Kumar into encroachment at Munnar and neighbouring areas under the provisions of Right to Information Act and Rules.
Yours truly,
Trivandrum
11-5-2007
Roy Mathew
The replies
