HC seeks info from Govt on GOs website ban
Hyderabad, March 23 (INN): The Hyderabad High Court on Wednesday directed the Telangana Government to furnish details on its decision to ban the website on Government Orders.
While hearing a writ petition filed by TPCC Chief Spokesperson Dr. Sravan Dasoju, the High Court asked the Government Pleader to explain the confidentiality involved in the GOs and why the website has been blocked. The Government Pleader contended that the decision on website ban was not final and a final stand was yet to be taken on the issues. Asking the government to submit a detailed reply, the High Court posted the next hearing in the case to March 28.
In his petition, Dr. Sravan Dasoju alleged that the ban on GOs website http://goir.telangana.gov.in was an open violation of RTI Act and Freedom of Speech. "With the advent of the Right to Information Act, 2005, erstwhile united State of Andhra Pradesh, had been one of the States in the country to implement the said Act in letter and spirit. As part of its implementation, the erstwhile united State of Andhra Pradesh had started uploading all GOs, circulars and other relevant information, either on the main website or on the websites being maintained by different departments. As a result of these actions, the governance was transparent and any citizen can access the relevant GOs, circulars etc., from the internet itself.
The Congress leader informed that after the bifurcation of the State, the State of Telangana, continued this policy and all GOs, circulars etc., were available on the internet. However, since February 2016, the State Government has cut off access to its main website and only empowered officers of the Government can access to these websites.
"This deliberate action of the State in cutting off the access of its websites to the citizens of the country is clearly arbitrary, illegal and violative of Article 19 (1) (A), 21 of the Constitution of India and also the provisions of Section 4 of the Right To Information Act, 2005," he said in his petition while citing different clauses of Constitution of India and other relevant cases.
News Posted: 23 March, 2016
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