Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS/CN)
Mangalore, Oct 14: District and session court judge H R Deshpande said that introduction of the RTI Act can be considered the 21st century’s revolution. “The Supreme Court has said that Right to Information Act is a part of Article 19 Freedom of Speech and Expression. There is need for awareness of this right among public,” he added.
Deshpande spoke after inaugurating the district-level workshop on ‘Empowerment of Democracy’ through RTI organized by White Whistle, CODP, CD Forum, School of Social Work, Padi, Deeds, and NCHR among others.
Chief guest S P Chengappa, president, Bar Council, Mangalore, said that the history of corruption in post-independence India started with the Jeep scandal in 1948 and has now escalated.
“Real democracy was realized in the year 2005 with the introduction of the RTI Act. Before people used to stand in queues for ration; likewise, corrupt politicians are now made to wait in queues to go jail. This is possible today all because of proper utilization of RTI Act,” he asserted and called upon young minds to be aware of this act rather then merely complaining about the current political scenario.
Chengappa also said that hundreds of thousands of corruption cases are yet to be dug up. He called upon everyone to be an RTI activist. “Of the 800 laws in the nation, people should be aware of at least a few,” he said.
Dr Rita Noronha, Lolaksha, and Addor Krishna Rao were present.