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Citizen's right to know should be circumscribed: PM
Date: 12-10-2012Expressing concern over frivolous and vexatious use of RTI Act, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday said that the a citizen's right to know should definitely be circumscribed, if disclosure of information encroaches upon someone's personal privacy and has opined that Right to Information (RTI) Act cannot be used to violate the privacy of an individual.
Addressing the seventh Convention of Central Information Commissioners, the Prime Minister conveyed his concern over the frivolous and vexatious use of the Act in demanding information disclosure of which cannot possibly serve any public purpose. He further emphasized that a fine balance is required between the RTI and the right to privacy, which stems out of the fundamental right to life and liberty. Touching upon the area of public-private partnerships, the Prime Minister said blanket extension of the RTI Act to such bodies, which discourage private enterprises to enter in partnership with public sector whereas blanket exclusion may harm accountability of public officials.
However, Manmohan Singh's statement comes in the wake of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi hitting out at the Prime Minister's Office for not providing details of Congress President Sonia Gandhi's foreign trips for medical treatment.