Kochi: The state information commission has sought an explanation from the Kochi corporation secretary regarding the local body’s move to collect details of those filing a greater number of RTI applications and seek a vigilance probe into the financial status of such applicants. A meeting of the corporation council held last week had taken such a decision to prevent what the local body officials term misuse of RTI applications.




According to the commission, the move is against the clauses in RTI Act .




Mayor V K Minimol and UDF councillors in the corporation allege that some of RTI activists are collecting details by filing RTI applications and misusing such details for seeking bribes. At the same time, LDF councillors , including Elizabeth Idikkula , said that the UDF council’s decision will kill the spirit of the RTI Act which helps divulge information regarding the governance and various other aspects which is the lifeline of democracy.