As a relief to the Haryana population, and a much needed measure in the state, Government has intimated the police that whistle blowers and RTI activists should be offered protection in the state.

As per the policy, 'whistle blower' mean a person who makes a complaint or exposes any government office, undertaking or company about 'an attempt to commit or commission of an offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act, Willful misuse of power or discretion by virtue of which demonstrable loss is caused to the Government and 'an attempt to commit or commissioner of any criminal offence by a public servant'.

The policy would also be uploaded on the State's official website.
Two committees at district and state level would be set up according to the policy. The district level committee shall comprise district magistrate (DM) as chairman, superintendent of police (SP) and district attorney (DA) as its members. The state level committee shall comprise principal secretary (Home) as chairman with advocate general, Haryana and DGP, Haryana as its members.

Any whistle blower, RTI activist, complainant or a witness in a serious case who perceives that his life or liberty is under threat can submit an application at the district committee which would approve the application to provide sufficient security after proper inquiry. This process is to be completed within a period of not more than one week.

If the committee deems that there is no such alleged threat, the application would be rejected. The state committee would deal with such rejected cases to review the decisions and monitor the functioning of the district level committees.

Policy has also a provision for creating a special cell 'for processing the request of security and for monitoring the investigation of case registered against the whistle blowers/RTI activists/complainant or witness in serious case'.

This is a policy created and notified by the Haryana government in response to the PIL earlier filed by RTI activist, and advocate HC Arora.

(AW- Anil)