‘Defence deals open to public scrutiny’

Asserting that the Right to Information was applicable to ministries dealing with defence and security, Central Information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah has said that the public has the right to seek information on all defence deals finalised to ensure transparency and accountability. The same applies to information with regard to transactions involving government money, including allotment of petrol pumps and sale of government land, he said.

“The citizens will have the right to access information after a defence deal has been completed and all transaction details finalized. Information cannot be given at the initial stage when tender bidding process is on. At this stage, any competitor or disgruntled party can come up and seek information, which may lead to jeopardizing the deal, endangering the economic interests of the country,” he told a BBC Hindi programme last night. He said the “Right to information applies to the Ministry of Defence and security forces of country as it does to any other government department.” However, Section 8 of the RTI Act makes it clear that where issues of security of country as well as law and order were involved, information will not be made public, he said. “Information disclosure which will prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of India, security, strategic, scientific or economic interests of the state, relations with the foreign states, or lead to incitement of offence cannot be made public,” he said.