RTI bill : A vital step forward in democratic journey

By Gamini Abeywardane

Right to information Act is at last going to be a reality. The bill has already been presented in parliament and with whatever amendments it is likely to be passed soon. This is an important milestone in the democratic journey of our country.

We are one of the last countries in the south Asian region to introduce legislation recognizing right to information. These rights have been enjoying legal recognition in the western countries for quite some time. For us it is a case of being better late than never, and finally this government has come forward to fulfill one of its electoral promises.

Though it is often the journalistic fraternity who have been clamouring for right to information, it is something that is fundamental to all people in a democracy. They have a right to know how they are governed and availability of information is vital in this regard.

Freedom of information legislation reflects the fundamental premise that all information held by governments and governmental institutions is in principle public and may only be withheld if there are legitimate reasons, such as privacy and security.

It is an integral part of the fundamental right of freedom of expression, as recognized by the United Nations as well as by Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that the fundamental right of freedom of expression encompasses the freedom ‘to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers’.

Governments over the years have taken cover under secrecy laws citing confidentiality etc, to prevent people getting to know details of various official activities affecting them. Where possible news media have been accessing such information through official and unofficial ways, but without the backing of any constitutional or legal right to seek such information.

Free flow of information will help enhance democracy by bringing to public arena vital details about all official acts well in time, thus eliminating or reducing opportunities for corruption. There have been enough allegations of corruption against politicians and officials in all governments present and past and one solution to the issue is to have more democracy and to empower people and free availability of official information is a vital aspect in this regard.

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Blackouts and politics of power sector

The country has just witnessed one of the worst blackouts in its recent history. Too many islandwide power failures at unusual intervals have even aroused suspicions of sabotage. Politicians are engaged in leveling allegations against one another making political capital out of the unfortunate happenings. Country as a whole suffered a huge economic loss while the people had to undergo many hardships.

At the root of all this is the unresolved power crisis. For too long we depended on hydroelectricity and when consumption increased power shortages and power cuts became the order of the day. Major reforms in the power sector became impossible due to lack of funding and opposition from various quarters. Finally the problem became too acute compelling the government to urgently look for other sources of power and coal power plant at Norochcholai was one such solution in a hurry.

The machines at Norochcholai have stopped due to technical problems over thirty times up to now. There are allegations of corruption and use of substandard components in the commissioning of that plant and most of the blame in this regard has been heaped on the previous government.

At the same time, one should not forget that attempts by many governments to build such power plants had to be shelved in the face of mounting opposition by environmental groups and other politically motivated activist groups in the past. Despite whatever its negatives, the addition of 300Mw of power from Norochcholai averted major power cuts in the last few years.

Several privately owned diesel power plants also entered the power sector making use of the severe shortage of power. These are all temporary solutions, but there have been allegations of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) purchasing power at high prices. Thus, there seem to be an electricity mafia involving politicians, CEB officials and the businessmen. At the centre of all this is the unresolved power crisis in the country and the politics behind it.

The only way proposed by economists, power sector experts and multi-lateral aid agencies such as the World Bank and the ADB to resolve this issue is to restructure the CEB which is an inefficient entity with colossal debts amounting to billions of rupees which has already become a burden on the treasury. In order to increase efficiency of the CEB and to resolve its debt issue, it has been proposed that three of its main functions – generation, transmission and distribution, should be separated.

Restructuring will also require a huge amount of capital and it goes without saying that private capital has to be infused into the system in some way. Like in many state owned loss making institutions the very word ‘private capital’ is anathema to CEB workers who have vehemently opposed these restructuring plans. All major political parties are aware of the situation, but when in opposition they also try to make political capital out of these issues by opposing the restructuring moves.

If we are to avert any future catastrophes in the power sector only way out is to seriously look at these restructuring plans and implement whatever is suitable from the country’s point of view with infusion of private sector capital where necessary. Country is already seeing the positive results of such restructuring in the once maligned telecom sector and there is no reason why same norms cannot be applied to the power sector. 

 

 

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