Explain the nation for Cabinet's 'U-turn' on RTI : BJP

New Delhi, July 21 (UNI) Taking note of the 'U-Turn' made by the Government in deciding the amendment of the Right to Information Act, excluding the notings of officials from the purview of the law, the BJP today asked the Government to state the compelling reasons for back tracking on the Prime Minister's directives.

BJP spokesman Arun Jaitley said that the Cabinet proposal had disappointed a lot of people, who wanted transparency in administration and who believed that the RTI Act would herald an era to end corruption were severely disappointed. The government should tell the nation why it decided against the directives of the Prime Minster, he said.

Asked what would be the stand of the BJP on the issue,he said the party leaders would hear the views of the government on the issue and the draft bill before expressing its view.

He quoted the communique of PMO dated December 1, 2005 which instructed Department of Personnel and Training to change the rules pertaining to disclosure of substantive file notings on plans, schemes, programmes and projects of government relating to development, However the Principle Information Officer appointed under the RTI may withhold individual identity of the functionary who has made the notings.

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