20,000+ RTI applications by ordinary citizens from 50+ cities during the 15-day Anti-Bribery Campaign have sent shivers down the spines of the Govt. of India.
Now, corrupt babus (like Chief Secretaries) and politicians have drafted a new bill to essentially kill the Right To Information Act 2005. Cabinet has approved it and the bill will be on the Parliament floor soon.
Usually, India awakens to high-pitched cries only - public pressure is crucial to save this potent weapon against corruption. If this bill passes, we can kiss goodbye to all hopes for better infrastructure in India, be it airports/roads/electricity/phones/police/...
Things we can do (can others give more suggestions?) --
1. Sign the petition and forward to your email lists:
http://www.petitiononline.com/save_rti/petition.html
2. Are you a CEO, eminent citizen, etc. or is your friend one? Can that person write a letter of protest to the Prime Minister, President, Sonia Gandhi, ... (contact info of all MPs, PM, etc. and example letters available if you need them)? Can Rotary Club, PPP, TiE, etc. folks come forward?
MORE INFO ON PROPOSED AMENDMENT:
Why are file notings so important?!?!
(What is being changed in RTI- "File Notings")
http://indiarti.blogspot.com/2006/07/why-are-file-notings-so-important.html
Cabinet approves amendments to RTI Act - The Hindu, July 24, 2006
http://www.thehindu.com/2006/07/21/stories/2006072107391200.htm
Taking the life out of the right to information - The Hindu, July 24, 2006
http://www.hindu.com/2006/07/24/stories/2006072402411000.htm
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