Call to modify Oath of Secrecy as per Information Act

Kochi, May 19(UNI) People's Council for Protection of Civil Rights today stirred up a debate in Kerala, calling for a change in the existing oath of secrecy' for the ministers in the light of recent Right to Information Act 2005.

Council president Mathew Paul, in a memorandum to the Union Minister for Law, said the oath of secrecy was clearly against the Information Act in spirit and letter.

The Ministers do swear not to divulge to anyone anything relating to the matters coming under their purview. However, the Information Act extends the right to the citizen to seek information on anything except that of national security and other classified data,'' he pointed out.

The citizens can have access to information even without specifying the purpose, under the Information Act. The oath of secrecy should hence be amended accordingly, said Mr Paul, a lawyer practising in the Kerala High Cout.

The Council also suggested that the new ministers should be sworn in again under the amended format.

UNI JA VV VD DS1542