Adv. Aires Rodrigues has today challenged Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to reveal the names of the persons who he claims are misusing the Right to Information Act for monetary gains.
Adv. Rodrigues has further dared the Chief Minister to take action against all such persons in accordance with law.
Alleging that Manohar Parrikar was now well known for blackmailing people, Adv. Rodrigues has stated that the Chief Minister had not even spared the press and even artists when he on February 1st made a statement on the floor of the Goa Legislative Assembly that an F.I.R would be filed against noted artist Dr. Subodh Kerkar.
Castigating Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar for firing loose cannons to gain cheap publicity, Adv. Rodrigues has stated that being an IIT, the Chief Minister should speak sensibly and responsibly with all the facts in hand.
Stating that the RTI Act was enacted to ensure transparency and accountability in public life, Adv. Rodrigues has accused Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar of doing everything possible to scuttle the RTI act as various acts of omission and commission of his government were now being exposed through information obtained under the RTI Act.
Pointing out that while as the Leader of Opposition Manohar Parrikar had taken to the streets on various issues and even squatted on the Highways, Adv. Rodrigues has stated that as Chief Minister he now wanted Goans to silently watch the rampant corruption and saffronisation of the administration that was being unleashed.
Stating that the people of Goa had given Manohar Parrikar another opportunity hoping that he would have learnt from his past mistakes and changed for the better, Adv. Rodrigues has stated that Goans have now sadly realized that the dog’s tail never straightens.
Adv. Rodrigues has expressed confidence that the people of Goa would not allow Manohar Parrikar to disable the RTI Act, which is their weapon to unearth and fight corruption, nepotism and maladministration which is currently rampant in the State of Goa.
Adv. Rodrigues has reiterated the need to immediately appoint independent minded persons to the vacant posts of Chief Information Commissioner and State Information Commissioner so that the implementation of the RTI Act in the State could be effectively overseen by reputed persons who are not Yes-men of the Chief Minister.