Jairam Thakur Slams Himachal Government Over RTI Exemption for Vigilance Bureau
Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and current Leader of Opposition, Jairam Thakur, has launched a scathing attack on the state government for its controversial decision to exclude the Vigilance Bureau (VB) and Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) from the purview of the Right to Information (RTI) Act. During a visit to Dharamshala, Thakur vehemently denounced the move as "undemocratic and against the spirit of the Constitution."
Allegations of Avoiding Transparency
Thakur accused the state administration of deliberately attempting to avoid transparency and conceal corruption by shielding these crucial investigative agencies from public scrutiny. He emphasized that Section 24 of the RTI Act permits exemptions only for organizations involved in sensitive intelligence or security operations. Since the primary mandate of the vigilance and anti-corruption bureaus is to probe corruption cases, Thakur argued there is no constitutional or moral justification for keeping them outside the RTI framework.
Questioning the Legislative Process
The opposition leader raised serious concerns about the procedural aspects of this significant decision. He questioned why such a major policy shift was attempted without bringing it before the state assembly or completing the necessary legislative processes. Thakur demanded that the government provide clarity on what specific investigations are currently underway that necessitate such secrecy. According to him, making vigilance matters confidential inevitably raises suspicions that cases involving ministers or political leaders might be suppressed or manipulated.
Appreciation for Central Relief Funds
In a separate development, Thakur expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for approving an additional Rs 288 crore in disaster relief funds for Himachal Pradesh. He urged the state government to ensure these funds reach the affected communities promptly and effectively, highlighting the importance of transparent fund utilization during crisis situations.
The controversy has sparked a broader debate about transparency in governance, with Thakur's criticism underscoring the tension between administrative secrecy and public accountability in anti-corruption efforts.
