Information Bill passed in Goa

PANAJI, Aug 1: THE Goa Assembly passed the Right to Information Bill on Thursday amid noisy protests from mediapersons who then walked out of the Press Gallery. The press persons were protesting against the retention of a provision in the Bill which seeks to penalise a media person with a fine of not less than Rs 10,000 if it is found that he/she has published any information with mala fide intent.

Providing a dramatic turn to the day’s protest show, mediamen opposing the clause in the bill gheraoed individual ministers and MLAs when they came out of the House and shouted slogans against them. The media also boycotted Assembly proceedings.