विदेश मंत्रालय, भारत सरकार ने लखनऊ स्थित एक्टिविस्ट डॉ नूतन ठाकुर को हाल में संपन्न हुए हाउडी मोदी कार्यक्रम से जुडी मंत्रालय की पत्रावली तथा अभिलेख देने से मना कर दिया. नूतन ने इस कार्यक्रम के आयोजक, इस कार्यक्रम में विदेश मंत्रालय की भूमिका तथा इस कार्यक्रम से जुड़े मंत्रालय की पत्रावली की प्रति मांगी थी.
मंत्रालय के केंद्रीय जन सूचना अधिकारी ने बताया कि यह कार्यक्रम भारतीय कांसुलेट जनरल, ह्यूस्टन द्वारा टेक्सास इंडिया फोरम के साथ मिल कर आयोजित किया गया था. इस कार्यक्रम में विदेश मंत्रालय की भूमिका टेक्सास इंडिया फोरम के साथ मिल कर कार्यक्रम का संचालन करने, प्रवासी भारतीयों की सहभागिता, अमेरिकी कांग्रेस के सदस्य तथा अमेरिकी गवर्नर के साथ समन्वय करने का था.
इसके साथ ही उन्होंने इस कार्यक्रम से जुडी मंत्रालय की पत्रावली को आरटीआई एक्ट 2005 की धारा 8(1)(ए) में देने से मना कर दिया, जिसके तहत वह सूचना निषिद्ध है, जिसके प्रकटन से भारत की प्रभुता और अखण्डता, राज्य की सुरक्षा, रणनीति, वैज्ञानिक या आर्थिक हित, विदेश से संबंध पर प्रतिकूल प्रभाव पड़ता हो या किसी अपराध को करने की उद्वीपन होता हो. नूतन ने इससे असहमत होते हुए इसके संबंध में अपील दायर किया है.
MEA denies info on Howdy India as being against National interest
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has denied the copy of the files and documents of MEA about the recently held Howdy Modi to Lucknow based activist Dr Nutan Thakur.
Nutan had sought information about the organizers of this program, the role played by MEA and the organizers in this program along with copy of the official file of MEA as regards this program.
The Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) of MEA replied that the program was organized by the Consulate General of India, Houston in coordination with Texas India Forum. It said that the role of MEA was to conduct the event and organise the participation of Indian diaspora, US Congressmen and US Governors with co-ordination amongst Consulate General of India, Houston in coordination with Texas India Forum.
At the same time, it denied copy of the official MEA file under section 8(1)(a) of RTI Act, 2005 which prohibits information, whose disclosure would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security, strategic, scientific or economic interests of the State, relation with foreign State or lead to incitement of an offence. Not being satisfied with the reply, Nutan has preferred an Appeal against this reply.
RTI Reply-
Final Status of MOEAF/R/2019/51070
Applicant Name dr nutan thakur
Date of receipt 15/08/2019
Request Filed With Ministry of External Affairs
Text of Application
As per a news article, 40,000 people register for Howdy, Modi community summit in Houston PTI dated 13/08/2019, The Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi is scheduled to address the Indian-American community event on September 22 Around 40,000 people have registered themselves for Indian American community summit Howdy, Modi, which will be addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 22 during his visit to the US for the UN General Assembly session, organisers of the event said. Kindly provide following information as regards the above news article- 1. As per the official records of Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), is this program of Sri Narendra Modi finalized. 2. If yes, who are going to be the organizers of this program. 3. As per official records, what is the role being played by MEA in this program. 4. What is the role of the organizers in this program. 5. Kindly provide a copy of the official file of MEA, including notesheet and communications with different offices, as regards this proposed program.
Request document (if any) document not provided
Status REQUEST DISPOSED OF as on 23/09/2019
Date of Action 23/09/2019
Remarks Reply :- Point-wise reply is as follows: (1) Yes. (2) Consulate General of India, Houston in coordination with Texas India Forum. (3) and (4) To conduct the event and organise the participation of Indian diaspora, US Congressmen and US Governors with co-ordination amongst Consulate General of India, Houston in coordination with Texas India Forum. (5) Information is declined under section 8(1)(a) of RTI Act, 2005 being strategic in nature.
