Biswabrata Goswami
MIDNAPORE, 6 MARCH: The West Bengal Information Commission (WBIC) has come under fire for its handling of Right to Information (RTI) cases, particularly concerning a whistle-blower’s appeals. The recent memo dated 19 February, 2024, issued by the WBIC to former Professor Abhijit Guha of Vidyasagar University’s Anthropology Department has sparked controversy and raised concerns about transparency and accountability in governance.
The memo, obtained by our sources, revealed that the WBIC labeled Mr. Abhijit Guha as a “habitual RTI applicant” who allegedly misused the RTI Act. Consequently, the commission has decided to close all second appeals filed by Mr. Guha without further action, drawing criticism from various quarters.
However, delving into Professor Guha’s history of RTI applications paints a different picture. In 2004, he unearthed the misappropriation of University Grants Commission (UGC) funds amounting to Rs. 60,976 by a corrupt Vice-Chancellor named Mr. Swapan Kumar Pramanick during the Left Front Government’s tenure in West Bengal. Mr. Pramanick eventually refunded the misused funds with interest to the UGC, thanks to Mr. Guha’s efforts.
Moreover, in 2009, the Public Information Commissioner of Vidyasagar University faced scrutiny from Mr. Arun Kumar Bhattacharya, the then State Chief Information Commissioner, for failing to provide information to Professor Guha. In response to the WBIC’s memo, Mr. Guha vehemently denied the allegations of misusing the RTI Act, challenging the commission to provide evidence of any such misuse.
This incident sheds light on the broader issue of transparency and accountability within the WBIC. A report released in 2023 by Satark Nagrik Sangathan (SNS), a citizens’ group advocating for transparency in governance, highlighted alarming delays in the disposal of RTI appeals. According to the report, it would take an estimated 24 years and one month for the WBIC to dispose of a matter, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the commission in safeguarding citizens’ right to information.
Residents, such as Ashish Rana from Midnapore, expressed dismay over the prolonged delays in disposing of RTI appeals, suggesting a systemic problem within the WBIC that needs urgent attention.
As the controversy continues to unfold, calls for reforms within the WBIC grow louder, with demands for greater transparency, accountability, and efficiency in handling RTI cases. The fate of whistle-blowers like Professor Abhijit Guha hangs in the balance, highlighting the crucial need for robust mechanisms to protect and support those who expose corruption and malpractice in governance.
Tags: #WBIC #RTI #WhistleBlower #Midnapore
