Letters to the editor

The right to information process is often defeated because of the costs in time, effort and money that it requires.

The right to information process is often defeated because of the costs in time, effort and money that it requires. Hemant Kumar of Ambala pointed out that seeking information entails higher costs under Haryana8217;s RTI rules, as compared to those specified under Central guidelines. For having flagged a clear inconsistency, his letter 8216;RTI costs8217;, IE, August 22 was judged this week8217;s winner.

8226; COMPARING the costs of obtaining information under the Haryana Right to Information Rules, 2005 with those prescribed under the Right to Information Regulation of Fee and Cost Rules, 2005 framed by the Central government, is revealing. Obtaining information under the former is no less than five times that of the latter. While the amount of fee accompanying the request for seeking information under the Central rules is merely Rs 10, in case of Haryana, it is a whopping Rs 50. Further while the Central public information authorities charge at the rate of Rs 2 per page, their Haryana counterparts ask for Rs 10 per page. In case the information is to be provided in electronic form floppy or compact disc, the Haryana rules prescribe Rs 100 as against Rs 50 in Central rules. There is an urgent need to rationalise the fees and costs of obtaining information, which after all is a fundamental right of the citizen.

Retail crushed

8226; THE UP government8217;s order for closure of organised retail stores is an example of political 8216;justice8217;. The law-abider is punished and the law-breaker is protected 8216;SP attack makes Maya press pause on retail8230;8217; IE, August 24. Chief Minister Mayawati argued that this decision was prompted by the attack of Samajwadi Party activists on Reliance Fresh and Spencer8217;s stores, and that the government apprehended a law and order problem.

Now, who created the problem? The stores that were carrying out lawful business to the satisfaction of the customers or the bunch of traders and middlemen who had been looting the consumers so far by selling inferior stuff at higher prices? Surely, it is the latter? Media reports say that customers stormed the Reliance retail stores in Lucknow on the inaugural day, and there were record single-day sales totalling Rs 18 lakh. The vegetables and fruits put on sale were found to be cheaper, better and fresh. Closing the stores appears to be politically motivated.

8212; M.C. Joshi, Lucknow

Aim of the deal

8226; I CONCUR with Arundhati Ghose about Ronen Sen being steadfast and astute in his negotiations with his American counterparts 8216;Sen and Nonsense8217;, IE, August 23. Very few have his finesse and patience in the face of some very strident criticism from the older guard who remain very sceptical of India8217;s long-term policies towards the US. The recent events in the Parliament can be said to have borne out their suspicions. However, one can only surmise that, in spite of his position as an ambassador, an assignment of this magnitude would have required Ronen Sen to have empathised with his American detractors. The very public display of pique regarding his Indian parliamentarians seems a natural consequence of this. But we should also remember the strategic aim of these negotiations is to ensure that India does not get viewed through a distorted prism as it builds its industrial might and military prowess even as it safeguards very critical economic interests.

8212; V. Shastry; Plesanton, California