Speak in a hushed voice if you want to stay hidden.

Cockroaches love the dark, as do thieves. Surely our political masters are honorable people who welcome the sunlight of complete transparency? Apparently not. Yesterday, in the Rajya Sabha, the dumping ground of discarded politicians, extreme indignation was expressed against the Right to Information Act by members of all parties. Normally there is complete unanimity when they award themselves eye watering perks, which would make US Senators drool. " Anyone can pay Rs 10, some 'paanwadi' (betel leaf seller) or 'chaiwala' (tea vendor) can also ask who made a missile or anything about international affairs," said Mr Praful Patel, of the Nationalist Congress Party which was a partner in the last government which passed the act. Mr Patel has probably been nursing a resentment for a long time. It was under this act that an activist exposed the fact that Air India was ordered to fly a larger plane to Maldives so that his daughter could fly business class with her in laws. More than 50 seats went vacant on each leg of the journey. He was responsible for the merger of Air India with Indian Airlines which was a spectacular failure requiring Rs 300 billion to keep it afloat, and it is not going to make any profit this financial year, as the government had expected. The loss this year is over Rs 26 billion. The deal with a consortium, known as DIAL, to improve Delhi Airport has been criticised by the Comptroller and Auditor General for a loss of Rs 1.67 trillion to the government. That was when Mr Patel was Minister for Civil Aviation. Is it any wonder Mr Patel would love to remain in the shadows? In which case he should have spoken in measured terms. The arrogance in his speech is breathtaking. Those who sell paan and chai are Indian citizens who have every right to know how they are being shafted by their politicians. Is he saying that poor people are incapable of making informed decisions? In which case they should not be allowed ot vote. Is that what he is saying? Maybe he is because he was ignominiously booted out by the same paanwadis and chaiwalas in the last elections in 2014. That he is still leading a life of luxury on taxpayer money is a disgrace. His party was in power in Maharashtra when the massive irrigation scam took place. Rs 350 billion is said to have been pocketed. A contractor has revealed how 22% of the cost of any dam has to be paid in bribes. A drought is an act of nature and Maharashtra has suffered 2 years of severe drought. If the irrigation money had not been stolen maybe so many farmers would not have to commit suicide. We, the people, need more rights to information and withholding such information must be made punishable by heavy fines and prison terms. Squash the cockroaches.