CIC notice to Shah, Sonia, 4 others for failing to implement RTI Act

The CIC has issued show-cause notices to BJP president Amit Shah and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi along with the heads of four other political parties asking why an inquiry should not be instituted in the matter of non-compliance of its order to implement the RTI Act. 

Last year, on a plea by activist Subhash Agrawal, the Central Information Commission (CIC) had declared six national parties — Congress, BJP, NCP, CPI, CPM and BSP — as public authorities, thereby bringing them under the ambit of the Right to Information Act. 

However, none of the parties either contested the decision in courts or followed the instructions of the panel. 

The commission had issued notices on 7 February and March 25 to these political parties seeking their detailed comments on the complaint by Agrawal that they had not complied with the orders of the CIC. 

‘Therefore, a notice is issued to show cause within four weeks as to why an inquiry should not be initiated in the matter of non-compliance of the commission’s order dated 3 June, 2013, under Section 18 of the RTI Act, 2005... Take further notice that if you fail to respond within prescribed time, the matter will be processed on the strength of material on record, in accordance with law,’ the notice said.