Panaji: Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar on Tuesday said public representatives were being provided "less important" information and stressed that they should be treated "on par" with RTI activists when it comes to disclosure of information.
"I have been often demanding before the Speaker that legislators who represent lakhs of people should be given equal powers like RTI activists when it comes to providing information," Javadekar said.
He was addressing the concluding session of All India Whip Conference that is underway in Goa.
"I have often seen that when an MLA or a minister requests for any government or Parliament-related information, it is provided in very technical and limited way," the Union minister said, adding that the same was given in detail, along with attached documents, in case of RTI activists.
"MLAs or ministers are given very less important (information). I want that we should be treated on par with RTI activists when it comes to disclosure of information," he said in the presence of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.
In his speech, Javadekar advised all Parliamentarians to understand the importance of democracy.
"People elect us with sole thinking that their representative will speak on their behalf in Parliament, with government. Today, people are looking at a representative who can perform the best in Parliament. Best conduct is expected from every representative as he is elected by public," he said.
The BJP leader said it was very much obvious that people will "judge" their representatives since they have voted for them.
"(As) every legislator has got a special power (vishesh adhikar), we are bound to raise issues and problems of our voters, of our public in Parliament in the best possible way," the minister said.
Underlining that good research was must for well informed discussion, Javadekar said that elected representatives should be provided with four to five research assistants who will maintain updates of varied subjects and keep the legislators informed.
