Info on netas’ assets not people’s concern: Lokayukta
The Lokayukta institution has turned down all RTI applications seeking details of assets filed by public representatives citing a High Court judgment which said it would put public representatives at risk of life and property. Ever since a series of private complaints were filed before the Lokayukta special court, there have been several RTI applications to the Lokayukta seeking information on MLAs and MLCs. Initially, the office of the Lokayukta furnished the information and a few applicants approached the Lokayukta court on finding discrepancies in the assets declared by the political leaders. However, now the office of the Lokayukta has said that henceforth no information on the assets and liabilities of any public representative will be furnished under RTI.
Lokayukta officials have also been stating that divulging information about the assets and liabilities of a public representative will be “invasion of their privacy”. “I feel disclosure of such information would cause unwarranted invasion of privacy and may expose them risk both to life and their property”, the Lokayukta deputy registrar said in his replies to applications.
Former Lokayukta Justice N Santosh Hegde said there was no reason why information should be withheld from the public. “It is the members of the public who, after verifying the authenticity of the legislators’ declarations, can file complaints. At a time when Central Information Commission (CIC) is mulling to allow access to returns filed by both retired and in-service judges, people have the right to know the returns filed by elected representatives,’’ Justice Hedge said.
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