Thread by @OfficialSauravD

#NewsTHREAD

For months the Centre has rejected to reply to imp RTI queries like EVERYTHING related to d powerful COVID-19 Expert Committee, Vaccines, & more. Documenting it in this thread.

A cut-copy-paste reply to all- "threat to strategic, scientific, economic interests"

1/8

In this reply, @MoHFW_INDIA refuses to reveal any minutes, any agendas, even members of the Committee until recently, any file noting, what work it is undertaking, etc. The same cut, copy, paste answer

D Committee is steering the country's fight against COVID, & vaccination

2/8

On how the vaccines were cleared, based on what data it was cleared, minutes of the Expert committee meetings, and also on what basis @DGCAIndia claimed "110% safe vaccines", the CDSCO under MoHFW too, rejected the RTIs.
@drharshvardhan @MoHFW_INDIA
3/8

As Govts and people demand vaccination for all, the Govt refuses to reveal on what basis it restricted vaccination for adults below 60 without co-morbidities.

This, while India exported d highest number of Vaccines to the world while restricting vaccinations in India.

4/8

Again, the cut, copy, paste reply for details, including the creation of the CoWIN App.

Remember, Ministry is supposed to justify rejection of info on sound grounds. Simply invoking exemptions without giving reasons for doing so, is illegal. But sadly...

5/8

On Co-WIN App's source code, the same cut, copy, paste reply.

6/8

Add to these more imp queries like details of bilateral agreements into which India has entered for vaccine supply, purchase agreements with vaccine manufacturers, working of the Joint Monitoring Group, foreign shipments,

all are denied under same cut, copy, paste reply.

7/8

...under "threat to strategic, scientific, economic interests of India", which is Section 8(1)(a) of the RTI Act, also the most misused provision of the law.

Without transparency, there are a lot of problems that ultimately people will have to face and that'll harm us.

8/8

What is very clear, however, is that the Centre is very hostile towards RTIs.

Not saying this without proof-