Right to Information (RTI) applications seeking information pertaining to the PM CARES Fund have been stonewalled. Access to information is crucialThis violation of peoples’ RTI is particularly concerning given the unprecedented crisis gripping the nation. Ironically, however, a corrosive narrative seems to have emerged that public scrutiny of government actions is undesirable during the crisis and citizens must unquestioningly trust the state. Role of transparency watchdogsIn the current scenario the role of information commissions is crucial. It is behind the cloak of secrecy that the rights of individuals are most frequently abrogated, corruption thrives and public trust in institutions is eroded.

Source: The Hindu June 22, 2020 18:49 UTC