And then came the announcement that Mumbai would be made into an International Financial Centre. Another ‘special package’ was announced – to much fanfare: a ‘special package’ of Rs. one thousand crore. For months, my friend and colleague, Kirit Somaya tried to find out how much money has actually reached the Maharashtra Government. Nobody would tell him. But he is not the kind to give up. He filed an application under the Right to Information Act – just imagine the commitment of our governments to -- what was that expression of Chidambram? -- ‘transparency and accountability’ that to get to know how much they have given in their generosity for such a worthy cause, a citizen has to take recourse to the Right to Information Act! Kirit strained for two months. Eventually, he received the information in July 2007: the total amount that has been given by the Centre is Rs. sixteen crore sixteen lakh.

The proclamation? Rs. one thousand crore. Actually given? Rs. sixteen crore sixteen lakh.

Then how is the ‘Action’ ‘completed’?

That tract of transparency and accountability explains:

‘The Report of the High Powered Expert Committee to make Mumbai an International Financial Centre has been released. The full text of the report has also been placed on the Ministry’s website… inviting feedback from the public.

‘A presentation was made to the Prime Minister on August 24, 2007. The recommendations identified for priority implementation have been circulated to the concerned regulators/agencies for comments/views on the process of implementing the recommendations. An Action Plan has been drawn up and is being implemented.’

... contd.