The Goa State Information Commission (GSIC) on Thursday ruled that the Governor’s office also comes within the purview of the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
Responding to a petition moved by the Goa-based lawyer and social activist Aires Rodrigues who challenged Raj Bhavan’s claim that Governor was not a public authority, Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) Motilal Kenny while delivering the landmark judgement stated that in fact the Governor Dr S S Sindhu also is a public authority under the RTI.The Governor’s special secretary N Radhakrishnan had refused to give information sought by Rodrigues claiming that Governor’s office does not come under the RTI Act.
In the order, CIC has asked Governor’s office to furnish the information sought by Rodrigues under RTI.
On November 29, 2010, Rodrigues had asked Governors office, the details of action taken on the complaint made by him to the Governor against State Advocate General Subodh Kantak. Rodrigues in his petition before the GSIC had stated that the office of the Governor is a Constitutional post within the definition of “Public authority” under section 2 (h) (a) of the RTI Act.