Union home ministry confused on CIC verdict on padma awards
It refers to letter number 24/6/2009-Public dated 01.09.2009 by Appellate authority in Union Home Ministry whereby time-extension of 30 working days is sought to provide copy of two pages of impugned note dated 22.01.2004 by the then President of India Dr APJ Abdul Kalam to the then Prime Minister on irregularities in selection of Padma awards. Interestingly the said note is readily available with the Ministry, and was even presented before Chief Information Commissioner on hearing-date of 06.08.2009. Unnecessary time-extension creates confusion and suspicion as if Union Home Ministry is trying to hide something.
Union Home Ministry had submitted copy of rules allowing weeding-out of papers related to Padma awards within one year. As such information relating to Padma awards 2004 could not be provided. But the same letter from Union Home Ministry reveals that sought information relating to even Padma awards 2009 can also not be provided thereby creating a doubt of faulty procedure in selection-process still continuing.
Padma awards were discontinued for several years after Supreme Court observed irregularities. Apex Court should carefully study facts revealed in decision-notice on Padma awards forwarded by Central Information Commission to Public Information Officer at Supreme Court to ensure fair selection-process of Padma awardees.
SUBHASH CHANDRA AGRAWAL
(Guinness Record Holder & RTI Activist)
1775 Kucha Lattushah
Dariba, Chandni Chowk
DELHI 110006 (India)
Mobile 9810033711 Fax 23254036
E-mail subhashmadhu@sify.com
Web www.subhashmadhu.com
