Skip to main content

Govt undermining transparency laws: Bihar RTI activists' dialogue

By A Representative
A public dialogue, organized at Patna's AN Sinha Social Research Institute on Right to Information (RTI) and Public Grievances Law, saw well known RTI activist Nikhil Dey and retired Justice Rajendra Prasad highlighting how attacks on RTI activists in Bihar is creating havoc in the state.
Participated by more than 100 RTI activists, including family members of the recently-murdered RTI activists Valmiki Yadav and Rajinder Singh, who were monitoring development work in their area, Dey said, when people ask for information, there is a lot of trouble. The government does all it can to hide information from thosr seeking it.
Another activist Anjali Bharadwaj said, "There is an effort to pressure change laws in order to undermine transparency. Recently, the Prevention of Corruption Act has been changed, the appointment of the Lokpal has not been done and efforts are being made to weaken the law by changing the Right to Information Act, for instance."
Added Ashish Ranjan, the matter is serious because governments at the Central and and the state have failed to raise voice against corruption and in the name of good governance, and thre situation has a point where brave people are being killed and common citizens who are speaking against corruption are being targeted instead of getting security.

Comments

TRENDING

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

Hoping against despair after Myanmar President’s visit to India

By Nava Thakuria  Myanmar President U Min Aung Hlaing’s five-day official visit to India from 30 May to 3 June 2026 drew attention both in New Delhi and in India’s northeastern region, where policymakers and residents closely follow developments in the neighbouring country. The visit was significant because it touched on several issues of mutual concern, including security cooperation, border management, connectivity projects, trade, and regional stability.

Beyond data: The economist who refused to remain in the ivory tower

By Vikas Meshram   There are few people who are born into privilege yet choose to dedicate their lives to the cause of the poor. Jean Drèze is one such individual. Born on January 22, 1959, in Leuven, Belgium, into the family of a distinguished economist, Drèze has become one of the most influential voices in the study of poverty, inequality, and social policy in India. Having lived in India since 1979, he adopted Indian citizenship in 2002 and has since played a pivotal role in shaping some of the country's most important welfare initiatives.