Ranchi, Oct 15: Senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha today warned the Centre against any move to “weaken” the Right to Information Act as it has become a strong instrument in unearthing corruption.
“What Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has recently said on RTI was improper. Because the Act was passed by Parliament and instead of saying anything on it he should bring amendments, which can be discussed in the House,” Sinha told a press conference here.
“The BJP will not allow the RTI to be weakened,” Sinha said, reacting to the prime minister's concern on October 12 over frivolous and vexatious use of RTI Act. Accusing the Centre of shifting stands on some proposed Acts, he said, “The proposed (draft of) Land Acquisition Act formulated and placed it in Parliament. It was sent to a Standing Committee before going to the cabinet. Later, it was decided to set up a Group of Ministers to look into it”.
The same was the case with Direct Taxes Code by setting up Shome Committee even after the Standing Committee on Finance had sent its report, he added.
“Why not discuss over them (proposed acts) properly in the initial stage itself. Ignoring Standing Committees are weakening the Parliamentary system. This should not happen,” the former finance minister said.
