Goa may implement Right to Information Act

Sandesh Prabhudesai in Panaji

Goa may be the second state in the country to enact a Right to Information Act. A bill in this regard will be presented in the monsoon session of the state assembly. Tamil Nadu was the first state to implement such an act.

The state cabinet unanimously decided to submit the draft bill during the month-long session beginning in July with Chief Minister Pratapsing Rane stating that such an act was necessary "considering the changing socio-economic scenario, with liberalisation and globalisation in the country".

Information Minister Domnic Fernandes said the Bill would be based upon the model Bill drafted by Justice P B Sawant, chairman of the Press Council of India, and on the Right to Information Act in force in Tamil Nadu.

Fernandes will also invite suggestions from the Goa Union of Journalists as well as several non-governmental organisations and trade union bodies, before laying the final draft of the Bill on the table of the House. He plans to complete all formalities by the month-end.

Meanwhile, Rane will also withdraw an unpopular circular the government issued in 1994, preventing bureaucrats from divulging information to the press.

The circular, issued by the chief secretary in October 1994, empowers only ministers or the chief secretary to officially talk to the press. All other bureaucrats as well as heads of department had to direct any query to the information department.

Several NGOs and academicians had called for the implementation of the Right to Information Act at a seminar organised last month by the Goa Union of Journalists. Justice Sawant, during his visit to Goa last month, had also advised journalists to press for the Bill.