<p>Information Commissioner Shailesh Gandhi underlined the fact that he had no powers under the RTI act to pass any direction in this regard.<br /><br />"The Commission cannot pass any direction in this regard, as it does not come within the Commission's powers as mandated under the RTI Act.<br /><br />"Now that various functionaries like ministers. Judges, and Information Commissioners have voluntarily put up details of their assets on website, it is for the President to take a decision on this matter," he said.<br /><br />Gandhi was hearing the petition of activist Subhash Agrawal who sought to know the details of the assets of President Pratibha Patil and her family members and steps taken to place them on the website.<br /><br />President's Secretariat refused to give information since the information was not available on record.<br /><br />It also said there was no legal requirement for the President to declare her personal as well as family's assets.<br /><br />Agrawal argued that although there may not be any legal requirement, since various functionaries including the Prime Minister have voluntarily placed their assets in public domain, the President may follow the same and set a "good example in transparency which others can follow."</p>
<p>Information Commissioner Shailesh Gandhi underlined the fact that he had no powers under the RTI act to pass any direction in this regard.<br /><br />"The Commission cannot pass any direction in this regard, as it does not come within the Commission's powers as mandated under the RTI Act.<br /><br />"Now that various functionaries like ministers. Judges, and Information Commissioners have voluntarily put up details of their assets on website, it is for the President to take a decision on this matter," he said.<br /><br />Gandhi was hearing the petition of activist Subhash Agrawal who sought to know the details of the assets of President Pratibha Patil and her family members and steps taken to place them on the website.<br /><br />President's Secretariat refused to give information since the information was not available on record.<br /><br />It also said there was no legal requirement for the President to declare her personal as well as family's assets.<br /><br />Agrawal argued that although there may not be any legal requirement, since various functionaries including the Prime Minister have voluntarily placed their assets in public domain, the President may follow the same and set a "good example in transparency which others can follow."</p>