State stonewalls RTI query

State stonewalls RTI query on encroachment Says Disclosure Of Details Against ‘Dignity Of The Assembly’ Jeeva | TNN Chennai: The Right To Information (RTI) Act stipulates that information about corruption and irregularities must not be concealed so as to ensure transparency in governance. But the revenue department of the Tamil Nadu government seems to think otherwise. On April 22, revenue minister I Periyasamy announced in the assembly that private educational institutions had encroached upon 4,000 acres of ‘poromboke’ land (unused government land) across the state. But, in reply to a query under the RTI Act, his department has refused to furnish the details of the encroachment and names of those responsible. In its reply, dated June 16, 2010, to an application filed by TOI on May 8, the revenue department said disclosure of the details would go against the “tradition and dignity of the assembly”. The RTI application had sought details of the places where land had been illegally occupied by educational bodies, and wanted the public information officer (PIO) to disclose institution-wise details. But in his response, the PIO chose to only mention the circumstances that led the minister to make the statement. “The minister’s statement was his reply to a question raised by an MLA on the debate for grants to his department. His statement was taken note of in the assembly records, printed and made available in the secretariat library. Disclosure of his statement made during the assembly proceedings to ‘outsiders’ will go against the tradition and dignity of the House,” the PIO said. The official did not even mention under what section of the RTI Act he had refused to furnish the information. RTI activists said the department had no authority to withhold details of corrupt practices that were punishable under the IPC. “Truth about corruption and irregularities cannot be hidden under the pretext of dignity of the House. It is a clear case of escapism and violation of the RTI Act,” said K Murugan, RTI activist and advocate. Missing Land, Secret Documents Revenue minister I Periyasamy had announced in the assembly that private educational institutions had encroached upon 4,000 acres of ‘poromboke’ land An RTI application by TOI sought details of the places where land had been illegally occupied by the educational bodies In the response, the public information officer chose to mention only the circumstances that led the minister to make the statement in the assembly The revenue department said that disclosure of the details would go against the “tradition and dignity of the assembly” We will not show any favour, says revenue min Chennai: The Right To Information (RTI) Act stipulates that information about corruption and irregularities must not be concealed. The revenue minister, I Periyasamy, announced in the assembly that private educational institutions had encroached upon 4,000 acres of ‘poromboke’ land. But the revenue department has not replied to a RTI application seeking details about the guideline and market values of the 4,000 acres, how long they had been encroached upon, what action had been taken to recover the lands, reasons for not taking action and the inquiry ordered against the officials. Periyasamy said, “We will not show any favour to anyone. Even if it is a small piece of land, it should be in the possession of the government... The government will not allow private parties to take over the land.”