RTI should not curb principles of other acts, says former CJI Balakrishnan

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Former Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan on Friday said the Right to Information (RTI) should not curb the principles of other acts.

"Right to Privacy, just like Right to Information, Right to Privacy is also an important right, and independence of judiciary is an important thing. These are all basic constitutional principles; it should be protected. Just as Right to Information Act, any other constitutional valued principle should be protected," said Balakrishnan, while giving a mixed review to the Right to Information Act at a seminar held here today.

"Any information which even in regarding appointment of Chief Justices, the reputation of the Chief Justices, we get written opinion and we cannot divulge this to the public, I strongly objected to these but going strictly by the provisions of the Act, it is the provision we have to divulge some of the information. It could be misused," he added.

Balakrishnan, who is currently the Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), appreciated the right nonetheless stating that the right is a boon to the citizens of the country, as it allows participation from them and makes the administration accountable.

"Mainly it is intended to give the citizens the information regarding the spending of the public money. That is more crucial, public should be aware that each pie spent by the government, in what manner and how it is used, whether it is for the good of the people or is it for other strenuous reason. That is the purpose of the Act and to that extent it has worked well," he added.

Balakrishnan, however, stressed that the right needs improvisation.

"Some cosmetic changes are required in the Act, which probably in every legislation it is being hurriedly done and there is no intellectual discussion about any of the enactment in the parliament," he added.

The Right to Information Act was enacted in 2005 in the Parliament of India to provide for setting out the practical regime of right to information for citizens. (ANI)