Shiv Sena MLA raised concerns on building plans information: Ratnakar Gaikwad

It now appears that information commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad’s order prohibiting the provision of building plans to RTI applicants was probably prompted also by a letter to him from Shiv Sena MLA Subhash Desai expressing security concerns on the matter.

Gaikwad has stated as much in his reply to Shailesh Gandhi, former central information commissioner, who had sought the withdrawal of the order. Gaikwad has also taken objection to Gandhi questioning his authority over the order, saying that Gandhi too had relied on similar provisions to pass orders. 

Gaikwad says, “I received a letter dated 25/9/2013 from Subhash Desai, MLA, expressing serious concerns from the security point of view of liberally giving information regarding public places by PIOs (public information officers). Since I too shared these concerns and had taken a similar view in previous appeals decided by me, I, therefore thought it appropriate to stop the wrong practice followed by public authorities (in giving complete building plans of public places) in order to prevent any disaster.”

The September 26 order directed all municipal authorities in the state not to provide building plans or other related documents of public buildings. Similarly, in the case of private buildings, interior plans would not be provided under RTI unless it is proved that the information sought is in the public interest. The order drew strong public criticism for muzzling information that should be available to citizens to safeguard their interests and prevent builders from cheating them.

Some days ago, Gaikwad modified his order and disallowed details of only internal building plans, but activists are not satisfied and one of them has even challenged the order in the high court.