Sharad Yadav view on Political parties under RTI

5062013

04^th June, 2013

Briefing media Sharad Yadav said,I have called you here to express my astonishment and shock on what is happening in the country now-a-days that the political parties will come under R.T.I as ruled by Central Information Commission. It is no way justified in our country.  We are totally against this move and therefore the Central Government should immediately come forward to scuttle it. It is not practical to share resolutions of the parties which are made in their Executive Committee meetings and also to share the process of selection of candidates for the Party organizations. One has to understand that as to how it is possible to divulge the information about inner matters of any political party. There is no denying the fact that there will be flood of applications seeking information on small inner matters of the political parties which will be of no use to the general public but this will add to unnecessarily work load on the parties. There is already a Constitutional body i.e. Election Commission of India by which every political party is bound to function under its directions. For any small or big deficiency in the conduct of political party, that political party receives immediate notice from the Election Commission of India.  We receive notices from Election Commission even on actions which are unintentionally committed by our parties as it is a watch dog of all political parties in the country and every political party has to abide by its decisions.

The other issue which I would like to raise is about the functioning of B.C.C.I in the country.  This is one of the richest organizations but the Government has no control on it which is surprising.  This can only happen in our country.  B.C.C.I has become an open shop for illegal trading.  One can easily understand that as to why big and powerful people are always interested and mad for getting positions in B.C.C.I.  It is a hub for doing speculation (Satta), Hawala, and joining hands with underworld people.  Has anyone ever questioned the legality of B.C.C.I and bringing it under the ambit of R T I Act.  In my view, B.C.C.I is an open naked dance in our country. B.C.C.I is earning money through the general public of this country, and has got offices and cricket grounds for play matches at subsidized rates from the Government, but it is ridiculous that the Government has no control on it.  It has become a phenomenon to act against the political fraternity and political parties in our country which has been seen in the last one decade.  The responsibility of weakening the system and governance in the country is solely on U.P.A and that is why everyone is raising his head on the matter which has no relevance and impact on general public.  The traditions, culture, values, respect for institutions have all lost in the regime of U.P.A which I am afraid will take a long time to recover the damage caused. The atmosphere has been created against the political people only.  It is not a healthy sign for our democracy.  Like B.C.C.I, some N.G.Os have been allotted offices and land by the Government at subsidized rates but they are not under the ambit of R.T.I. Act. It is a clear discrimination with the political class that the organizations like B.C.C.I, NGOs and other such type of organizations are not under the R.T.I. Act but political parties should come under its ambit is not less than vengeance against them.

The other issue which is in news in our country is Food Security Bill.  It is beyond understanding of anyone that as to why the Congress Party/UPA is in such a hurry to bring an Ordinance on Food Security Bill.  There are serious disagreements on the food security bill, and therefore, it calls for an exhaustive debate in and outside Parliament. There is no reason why it cannot wait till the ensuing monsoon session of Parliament. When it is remained pending for several years, why the UPA cannot wait for a month. We totally reject the move of the Government.  It the Government is bent upon to make hurry in this matter, they can come forward to advance the session so that the bill is debated as demanded by all political parties.

I am of the view that the Government should call all parties meeting to discuss the issues as raised above so that the damage being caused by this Government to the country is curtailed

                                                       Sd/-

(SHARAD YADAV)

                                                       Member of Parliament (LS)