The state government recently refused civic activists access to information about the memorandum of understanding (MoU) it signed in October last year
The state government recently refused civic activists access to information about the memorandum of understanding (MoU) it signed in October last year with Dow Chemicals to set up a Rs 400-crore Research and Development facility at Chakan village near Pune.
While the government touted the agreement as a major achievement, the villagers protested the decision alleging usage of hazardous chemicals would harm them and local environmentalists claimed that no environment impact assessment report for the project was done.
There are also allegations that 14,800 trees have been felled on approximately 40 hectares of grazing land given to Dow Chemicals to set up the centre.
The government rejected the RTI application on the ground that it will “prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security, strategic, scientific or economic interests of the state, relation with a foreign state or lead to incitement of an offence”.
This is the first time this section, under the many exemption clauses in the RTI Act, has been used by the government to refuse information.
Civic activist Shailesh Gandhi who filed the application, said, “To say I am surprised will be an understatement. How can seeking details of the MoU affect the country’s sovereignty?’’ said Gandhi.
Chief secretary Johny Joseph refused to comment on the issue but said Gandhi could always appeal against the decision by the Industries department as permitted under the RTI Act.
AM Khan, secretary in the Industries department, said that since he took charges of the department only last week, he could not comment on the reasons why the decision to reject the application was taken.
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