The various provisions of the Draft Bill cannot benefit the citizens, if we do not make the legislature, judiciary and and executive authorities of the nation accountable as Competent Authorities for disclosing information to the citizens. The Central Bill i.e. Freedom of Information Bill 2000 says in its Section-2 ( Definitions) about the accountability of these organs of the State in categorical terms. A similar provision need be inserted into the Orissa Draft Bill-2002.

As a lawyer, I have the experience of observing the manner in which our judiciary functions. Years pass on but no judgment is delivered. Meanwhile the judge is transferred too and the judgment remains pending. Similarly a particular judge allows an appeal, but the next judge who succeeds him dismisses the appeal. In such a situation the woes of the cpmmon man multiply. Unless the Chief Justice of Supreme Court and that of our High Court and other High Courts of the country are held accountable, we cannot expect justice to be done to the common people. If the Chief Justice of a High Court takes away the brief from his colleague judges ( for instance in case of Punjab High Court, how can we get justice, and what sort of temples of justice are our Courts ? When the judges themselves are found to be indulging in acts of corruption, there is need for transparency and accountability of the judiciary as recommended by the National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution. So, with all the force at my command, I appeal to you to consider the insertion of the provision of Sec-2 of the Freedom of Information Bill-2000, that holds the legislative, executive and judiciary accountable, into the Orissa Draft Bill.