Leading by Example

Posted on 2009-02-03
AFTER the judiciary refused to comply with an RTI petition to disclose the assets of the judges, it is the turn of the executive to stonewall any such move. Interesting, the move to block the information has come from the PMO that has been swearing by transparency and probity in public life. Though the government had earlier agreed to furnish the information and had even directed the cabinet secretary to provide the applicant detailed information, it made a U-turn and on January 27 it finally declined. This act of the PMO would defeat the purpose and intentions of the RTI Act and turn it irrelevant as a minister is a public figure and he is accountable to the people of the country. Moreover if he can declare his assets at the time of filing his nomination papers what is the harm in making public his assets while he is working as a minister? People have a right to know how their elected representative was using his office. Concealing information is ridiculous as at least five UPA ministers are suspect and one of them the Railway Minister, Mr Lalu Prasad is already involved in a disproportionate assets case which is lying before the Patna High Court. This would expose the ministers to greater public scrutiny. Apparently this action of the PMO is related to the reluctance of the judiciary to part with the information. The time has come for the judiciary too to be more transparent. Significantly, Mr Justice Nirmal Yadav of Punjab and Haryana High Court accused in the cash-in-bag scam had already written to the Supreme Court Chief Justice to probe against all judges facing the allegations. One High Court judge in Kolkata and some UP judges are also under the scanner. The judiciary must lead others by example.