Vice-Prez Ansari replies to RTI query on Yoga Day in two days

Public authorities are expected to respond to RTI <g data-gr-id="31">appplications</g> within 30 <g data-gr-id="28">days</g> but such alacrity in sending replies is rarely witnessed.

Responding to an RTI query dated June 22, filed by one Paras Nath Singh of Mallapuram, the Secretariat of the Vice President, in a letter dated June 24 said,”No invitation was received for the event ‘Yoga Day’ observed at Rajpath on June 21.”

Singh said he received the response within four days of him sending the RTI application.

Former Chief Information Commissioner Satyananda Mishra said other public authorities should learn from the VP’s office and respond to RTI pleas within time.

“<g data-gr-id="29">Its</g> a rare thing to see public authorities answering a query within two days. I think it should be welcomed,” he said.

Former Information Commissioner Shailesh Gandhi also said top offices like those of the President, 

Prime Minister and Vice President should set examples for other public authorities.

“It is good that they (VP’s office) had responded to the RTI application within two <g data-gr-id="38">days</g> but they should try to answer <g data-gr-id="37">bulk</g> of applications within a week,” he said.

Ansari’s absence from Yoga Day celebrations was questioned by senior BJP leader Ram Madhav which created a controversy. 

Minister of State for AYUSH Sripad Naik had said Ansari was not invited as Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the chief guest at the Rajpath event and inviting Vice President to it would have breached protocol. The row got a burial after Naik tendered apology over the controversy.