How the Right to Information Act is being steadily scuttled
3 years, 5 months ago

How the Right to Information Act is being steadily scuttled

India Today  

On October 12, marking the 16th anniversary of the Right to Information Act, Satark Nagrik Sangathan, a citizens’ collective, put out a revealing report on how a pathbreaking governance reform is being stalled. The Sangthan’s study shows that even as the RTI Act obligates each Information Commission to prepare an annual report on the implementation of the law, which is to be tabled in Parliament or a state legislature, an overwhelming 21 of the 29 IC panels have not published their annual report for 2019-20. Only the Central Information Commission and State Information Commissioners of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Mizoram, Nagaland and Uttar Pradesh have published their annual report for 2020 and put it in public domain on their websites. Further, he points out, by the 2019 amendment to the RTI Act, the powers of information commissioners have also been restricted.

Odisha Information State Report Act Annual Rti Sic Commissioners Cic Information Commissioners Sangathan  act  right  rti  law  commissioners  annual  information  steadily  state  published  scuttled  report  pradesh

History of this topic

Congress leaders, activists bemoan weakening of RTI Act through data protection law
3 weeks, 5 days ago

Congress leaders, activists bemoan weakening of RTI Act through data protection law

The Hindu  

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge reiterated concerns on Tuesday that the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, was weakening the Right to Information Act, 2005. “On the one hand, India has been coming on top in Misinformation and Disinformation for the past few years, on the other hand, the Modi government is bent on weakening the Right To Information Act implemented …

The RTI is now the ‘right to deny information’
1 month ago

The RTI is now the ‘right to deny information’

The Hindu  

The introduction of the Right to Information Act was a move that generated great hope among citizens since it recognised them to be the rulers of the nation. vs Aditya Bandopadhyay & Ors, in paragraph 33: “Some High Courts have held that section 8 of RTI Act is in the nature of an exception to section 3 which empowers the …

Right To Information (RTI) Act: All India Annual Digest 2024
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Right To Information (RTI) Act: All India Annual Digest 2024

Live Law  

SUPREME COURT Section 12 – Validity of Central Information Commission Regulations, 2007 framed by the Chief Information Commissioner under Section 12 of the RTI Act – Powers of the CIC – Held, the use of the words “superintendence, direction and management” in Sections 12 of the RTI Act clearly provides the CIC an ambit of power wide enough to frame …

RTI Act's purpose not to satisfy curiosity: Delhi University in PM's degree row
2 months, 2 weeks ago

RTI Act's purpose not to satisfy curiosity: Delhi University in PM's degree row

India Today  

The University of Delhi on Monday said the purpose of RTI was not to satiate a third party's curiosity as it challenged the central information commission's order over disclosure of information on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's degree. Appearing before Delhi High Court's Justice Sachin Datta, solicitor general Tushar Mehta said students' information was held by a university in a "fiduciary …

‘What is the use of RTI if there are no people to work for it?’ Supreme Court asks Centre, States
2 months, 3 weeks ago

‘What is the use of RTI if there are no people to work for it?’ Supreme Court asks Centre, States

The Hindu  

The Supreme Court on Tuesday slammed the chronic delay shown by the Centre and States in appointing Information Commissioners to decide citizens’ rights under the Right to Information Act, asking what was the use of creating the transparency-in-governance institution in the country if there were no people to work for the law. A Bench headed by Justice Surya Kant noted …

Ecostani: Why the landmark RTI act is moribund and who is to blame
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Ecostani: Why the landmark RTI act is moribund and who is to blame

Hindustan Times  

The only law in India that authorises people to question those in power, the Right To Information Act, has been weakened in several states including those ruled by the Congress, the party that introduced the landmark transparency law in 2005. In many states, state information commissions have been defunct for several years as the information commissioners, who hear the RTI …

After RTI Activist Flags Vacancies In Information Commissions, Supreme Court Seeks Data From Centre & States On CIC/SICs
4 months ago

After RTI Activist Flags Vacancies In Information Commissions, Supreme Court Seeks Data From Centre & States On CIC/SICs

Live Law  

The Supreme Court today called on the Centre and states to furnish data regarding vacancies in Central/State Information Commissions as well as the proposed timelines for appointment of Information Commissioners thereto.A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan passed the order in a PIL raising the issue of large number of vacancies in information commissions set up under the …

INTERVIEW | Public can seek info even about TN information commission under RTI: SIC commissioner
4 months, 3 weeks ago

INTERVIEW | Public can seek info even about TN information commission under RTI: SIC commissioner

New Indian Express  

MADURAI: The general public can seek information even about the State Information Commission under the RTI Act, said State Information Commissioner S Selvaraj, while speaking to TNIE on Saturday. The state information commission organised an awareness meeting with Public Information Officers at the collectorate, which is when Selvaraj spoke to TNIE. As per the RTI act, each PIOs need to …

6,845 RTI applications and appeals pending with State Information Commission
4 months, 3 weeks ago

6,845 RTI applications and appeals pending with State Information Commission

New Indian Express  

THRISSUR : Introduced in 2005 to ensure transparency in governance, the Right to Information Act is considered a powerful tool against corruption, empowering ordinary citizens to question those in power about their actions. According to data, as of August 9, a total of 6,845 RTI applications, including newly filed applications and appeals, are pending in the office of the State …

‘Activists have better knowledge of RTI Act than government officials’
8 months, 2 weeks ago

‘Activists have better knowledge of RTI Act than government officials’

The Hindu  

Expressing discontentment over the poor knowledge of the Right To Information Act among government officials, Ravindra Gurunath Dhakappa, the State Information Commissioner, said that some RTI activists had better knowledge of the RTI Act than them. “Poor knowledge of the RTI Act in government officials results in annoyance for applicants who rightfully seek information from public offices. Speaking on the …

INTERVIEW | ‘Information Commissions should be in the ICU’: Aruna Roy
1 year, 4 months ago

INTERVIEW | ‘Information Commissions should be in the ICU’: Aruna Roy

The Hindu  

The social activist says that those in power continue to find ways to refuse and thwart RTI requests. Power and independence equivalent to the Election Commissioners were vested in them to ensure smooth implementation of the law so that citizens could easily access information without interference from the officers who held the information. If “justice delayed is justice denied”, then …

Right To Information Act will become a dead letter if...: Supreme Court to Centre
1 year, 5 months ago

Right To Information Act will become a dead letter if...: Supreme Court to Centre

India Today  

The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Centre and state governments to fill vacancies in Information Commissions across the country, saying that if the posts were not filled then the whole purpose of the Right To Information Act would be defeated and the Act would become a "dead letter". "The failure of the state governments to fill the posts of …

Explained | Has the Right to Information been weakened over the years?
1 year, 6 months ago

Explained | Has the Right to Information been weakened over the years?

The Hindu  

For 13 years, the Right to Information Act, 2005, helped citizens obtain information and data from the Government and State institutions that are not readily available in public domain. Amending the RTI Act Apart from allowing certain information to be kept secret for national security and sovereignty reasons, the RTI Act makes one exemption: it prohibits personal data disclosure of …

Data Protection Bill poses severe restrictions to RTI Act, advocacy group NCPRI cautions government
1 year, 8 months ago

Data Protection Bill poses severe restrictions to RTI Act, advocacy group NCPRI cautions government

The Hindu  

An upcoming amendment to the Right to Information Act, 2005 is set to remove the legal basis allowing government agencies to share personal information in public interest, a move that activists have warned would dilute the transparency law. According to that section, personal information cannot be disclosed under the RTI Act “which has no relationship to any public activity or …

Activists, MPs flag RTI amendment in data protection bill
2 years ago

Activists, MPs flag RTI amendment in data protection bill

The Hindu  

Activists and Opposition Members of Parliament on March 13 expressed concern that a proposed amendment to the Right to Information Act, 2005, could close off avenues to citizens to uncover corruption. Section 8 of the RTI Act allows public authorities to refuse access to information if it intrudes on the privacy of an individual, but permits disclosure of information if …

Is the RTI Act fulfilling its purpose?
2 years, 3 months ago

Is the RTI Act fulfilling its purpose?

The Hindu  

The Right to Information Act was passed by Parliament in 2005, aiming to give people access to the records of the Central and State governments. Anjali Bhardwaj: What is remarkable about the RTI Act is that it came as a result of a very strong grassroots movement, where people from all walks of life came together to say that there …

Former Information Commissioners Express Concerns About Data Protection Bill Amending RTI Act
2 years, 3 months ago

Former Information Commissioners Express Concerns About Data Protection Bill Amending RTI Act

Live Law  

Former Information Commissioners have expressed concerns about the proposal to amend the Right to Information Act through the Data Protection Bill, as it would result in the complete exemption of personal information from disclosure.Mr. Former Information Commissioners have expressed concerns about the proposal to amend the Right to Information Act through the Data Protection Bill, as it would result in …

SPOTLIGHT | RTI Act losing its sheen with weakened machinery for its implementation
2 years, 4 months ago

SPOTLIGHT | RTI Act losing its sheen with weakened machinery for its implementation

The Hindu  

Published : Nov 17, 2022 10:35 IST When the Right to Information Act came into force on October 12, 2005, it was hailed as the “sunshine law” which would make governments transparent and accountable besides empowering citizens through their enhanced participation in democratic processes. “Of all the risks and assaults what is most painful is the misnomer that RTI activists …

Data | Unfilled vacancies, stagnant workforce delay RTI replies and appeals
2 years, 5 months ago

Data | Unfilled vacancies, stagnant workforce delay RTI replies and appeals

The Hindu  

Data show that the number of information officers and first appellate authorities in the Central government has remained stagnant in the last few years. A report released in October by the Satark Nagrik Sangathan, titled ‘Report Card on the Performance of Information Commissions in India, 2021-22’, states that the number of appeals and complaints pending before the Central and State …

RTI Act | Information Commission Can't Turn Blind Eye To Culpable Delay In Furnishing Info By PIO: Karnataka High Court Imposes Penalty
2 years, 7 months ago

RTI Act | Information Commission Can't Turn Blind Eye To Culpable Delay In Furnishing Info By PIO: Karnataka High Court Imposes Penalty

Live Law  

The Karnataka High Court recently observed that the Information Commission cannot let the undue delay caused by a Public Information Officer in furnishing information as sought for under the Right to Education Act, go unpunished.Leaving the culpable delay to go with impunity strikes at the root of law, a single judge bench of Justice Krishna S Dixit said.The court was …

Rural masses most vulnerable to graft, spread awareness of RTI Act in rural areas: Parliamentary panel
4 years ago

Rural masses most vulnerable to graft, spread awareness of RTI Act in rural areas: Parliamentary panel

The Hindu  

Asserting that rural masses or the people most vulnerable to corrupt practices are the ones who know the least about their rights under the Right to Information Act, a Parliamentary Committee has asked the transparency watchdog Central Information Commission to spread awareness about the law in rural areas. “The Committee recommends CIC to spread awareness about the Act in rural …

Changes to RTI Act do not ‘hamper’ Information Commissioners: Govt
4 years ago

Changes to RTI Act do not ‘hamper’ Information Commissioners: Govt

The Hindu  

The government has said the amendments introduced in the Right to Information Act are for “administrative” convenience and do not “hamper” the independent functioning of Information Commissioners. Mr. Ramesh had said the amendments jeopardise the independent functioning of the Central Information Commissions and the State Information Commissions. The Rules framed under the amendments concerning the conditions of service and tenure …

'Info in One Click': MP Information Commissioner On Decision Behind Revolutionary Order On RTI
4 years, 1 month ago

'Info in One Click': MP Information Commissioner On Decision Behind Revolutionary Order On RTI

News 18  

A journalist-turned-Information Commissioner at Madhya Pradesh State Information Commission, Rahul Singh, has been quietly revolutionising the way the Right to Information Act is used to elicit information by one and all. Continuing with his efforts to strengthen RTI in different public domains, he has on Monday directed Additional Chief Secretary, General Administration Department, to order all the District Collectors to …

A concerted attack on RTI
4 years, 5 months ago

A concerted attack on RTI

The Hindu  

This year marks 15 years of the enactment of the Right to Information law, which has empowered millions to assert their citizenship and show truth to power. Since its enactment, the RTI law has been used by people to seek information to actively participate in decision-making processes and hold governments accountable. The potential of the law Every year nearly six …

Transparency Finds New Dimension at MP Info Panel, Virtual Hearing on RTI Appeal Live-streamed on Facebook
4 years, 7 months ago

Transparency Finds New Dimension at MP Info Panel, Virtual Hearing on RTI Appeal Live-streamed on Facebook

News 18  

That transparency only hinges on pieces of papers and supposedly a red tape draped around them now seems a thing of the past. And significant credit must go to a journalist turned information commissioner from Madhya Pradesh who added a new dimension of transparency in the RTI Act by live-streaming the hearing of an appeal on Wednesday. On Wednesday he …

Right To Information Act, 2005: All You Need To Know
4 years, 8 months ago

Right To Information Act, 2005: All You Need To Know

Live Law  

Right to Information Act 2005 is an act of the Parliament of India which sets all the rules and procedures regarding citizen's right to information from the government, inspect any government documents, seek certified photocopies thereof. As defined under section 2 of the Right to Information Act, 2005 A public authority means an organization which is established, constituted, owned, controlled, …

SC Issues Notice On Jairam Ramesh's Plea Challenging RTI (Amendment) Act 2019 [Read Petition]
5 years, 1 month ago

SC Issues Notice On Jairam Ramesh's Plea Challenging RTI (Amendment) Act 2019 [Read Petition]

Live Law  

The Supreme Court bench headed by Justice D. Y. Chandrachud on Friday issued notice to the Centre on ex-Union Minister and Congress MP Jairam Ramesh's challenge to the amendments in the RTI Act.The Parliament had in July last year passed the Right to Information Bill 2019, to change the fixed term of the Information Commissioners, and make their pay and …

SC says RTI being used for 'criminal intimidation', highlights need to evolve guidelines to stop its misuse
5 years, 3 months ago

SC says RTI being used for 'criminal intimidation', highlights need to evolve guidelines to stop its misuse

Firstpost  

The top court, which was hearing a plea on filling up of vacancies of information commissioners in the Central Information Commission and the State Information Commissions, raised the issue of abuse of RTI law by those who have no connection with the information sought. New Delhi: The Supreme Court Monday said there is a need to evolve guidelines for the …

Clear pendency of cases, improve training quality: RTI activists appeal to government
5 years, 3 months ago

Clear pendency of cases, improve training quality: RTI activists appeal to government

The Hindu  

As the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi government assumes charge, Right to Information activists have put forth a list of their demands to shore up the efficacy of the RTI Act. While former Chief Information Commissioner Shailesh Gandhi has written a letter to the Chief Minister regarding the massive pendency of RTI cases and the need to appoint more information …

CIC was not consulted on RTI amendment Act
5 years, 4 months ago

CIC was not consulted on RTI amendment Act

The Hindu  

The Central Information Commission was not consulted regarding the Right to Information Amendment Act, 2019 or the Rules of the Act, an RTI application shows. In July, when asked why the government had not held any public consultation on the amendments, the Centre had told the Rajya Sabha that the changes in the Act were “between the Government and the …

RTI Activists Move SC To Implement Directions On Appointment Of Information Commissioners [Read Application]
5 years, 4 months ago

RTI Activists Move SC To Implement Directions On Appointment Of Information Commissioners [Read Application]

Live Law  

An application has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking directions for the timely and transparent appointment of Chief and Information Commissioners of the Central Information Commission and State Information Commissions in order to secure the fundamental Right to Information and the effective implementation of the Right to Information Act, 2005. On February 15, 2019, the Supreme Court had issued …

RTI Amendments: An Obituary To Independent Information Commission
5 years, 5 months ago

RTI Amendments: An Obituary To Independent Information Commission

Live Law  

The suspense and mystery on the real impact on RTI is now ended. Information Commissioners get less salary than Chief Information Commissioner, which creates hierarchy which was deliberately avoided in original Act. Making Chief IC a subordinate to Govt The Act and Rules of 2019 have the effect of indoctrinating complete subordination into the institution of the information commission, making …

Government notifies new RTI rules
5 years, 5 months ago

Government notifies new RTI rules

The Hindu  

The government on Thursday notified new rules under the Right to Information Act that reduced the tenure of information commissioners from five years to three, something which activists on Friday said would affect their independence. The Right to Information Rules, 2019 notified by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions set the tenure of information commissioners at three years …

Govt reduced need to file RTI application through proactive disclosures: Amit Shah
5 years, 5 months ago

Govt reduced need to file RTI application through proactive disclosures: Amit Shah

The Hindu  

The Modi government is so transparent that it is eliminating the need to file Right to Information requests, Home Minister Amit Shah said on Saturday, speaking on the 14th anniversary of the RTI Act. We want to introduce a system where people do not feel the need to file an RTI request in order to get information, because the government …

Kerala HC Issues Notice On Plea Challenging RTI Amendment Act 2019 [Read Petition]
5 years, 6 months ago

Kerala HC Issues Notice On Plea Challenging RTI Amendment Act 2019 [Read Petition]

Live Law  

The High Court of Kerala on Wednesday issued notice to the Centre on a plea challenging the vires of the Right to Information Act 2019. Lawyer and RTI Activist, D. B. Binu, has challenged the constitutionality of the amended Sections 13, 16 and 27 of the Act in as much as they prescribe that the term, salaries, allowances and conditions …

RTI (Amendment) Bill passed in RS: BJP sought stronger law when in Opposition, wants to weaken it now, says ex-CIC Shailesh Gandhi
5 years, 8 months ago

RTI (Amendment) Bill passed in RS: BJP sought stronger law when in Opposition, wants to weaken it now, says ex-CIC Shailesh Gandhi

Firstpost  

The Right to Information Bill, 2019, introduced by the Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Jitendra Singh, in the ongoing session of Parliament, has a section of Opposition parties and transparency activists up in arms. Firstly, the amendment lays down that the Central government will decide the term of office for the chief information commissioner and information …

Locking up information: Crippling the RTI Act
5 years, 8 months ago

Locking up information: Crippling the RTI Act

Deccan Chronicle  

The NDA looks serious about its legislative business: almost a dozen bills were presented and passed in Parliament in the current sitting; and many of them have important consequences. The only restriction on this right must be in line with the reasonable restrictions permitted under Article 19 which may be in the ‘interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India, …

Amendment may impair the right to information
5 years, 8 months ago

Amendment may impair the right to information

Deccan Chronicle  

The Right to Information Act was enacted in June 2005, and came into force in October the same year. The Act has been working fairly smoothly since 2005, and has rightly been used to uncover corruption and administrative ineptitude in government, apart from assisting ordinary people in getting their due from public authorities. Embarrassment was also caused to the government …

Rahul Gandhi lashes out at Modi govt for 'diluting RTI', says move will 'help corrupt steal from India'
5 years, 8 months ago

Rahul Gandhi lashes out at Modi govt for 'diluting RTI', says move will 'help corrupt steal from India'

Firstpost  

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged on Saturday that the Modi government is ‘diluting’ the RTI Act to ‘help the corrupt steal from India’, days after the amendment was passed by the Rajya Sabha. New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged on Saturday that the Modi government is “diluting” the RTI Act to “help the corrupt steal from India”, days after …

RTI Amendment Bill 2019 and the fake charade of Shashi Tharoor
5 years, 8 months ago

RTI Amendment Bill 2019 and the fake charade of Shashi Tharoor

Op India  

Andimuthu Raja of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam calls it “a dark day for democracy.” Shashi Tharoor of the Congress sees it as a bid to remove “the two greatest armours of institutional independence” and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, leader of Congress in Lok Sabha, views it as an attack on “our democratic right to information.” Serious isn’t it. The RTI Amendment …

RTI Amendment Bill Passed By Parliament
5 years, 8 months ago

RTI Amendment Bill Passed By Parliament

Live Law  

The Rajya Sabha on Thursday passed the Right to Information Bill 2019, which was cleared by the Lok Sabha on Monday.The motion to refer the Bill to Standing Committee was rejected by the majority. The Bill proposes to change the fixed term of the Information Commissioners, and make their pay and service conditions subject to the executive rules to be …

It's 'RTI Elimination Bill', Says Dr Shashi Tharoor On RTI Amendment
5 years, 8 months ago

It's 'RTI Elimination Bill', Says Dr Shashi Tharoor On RTI Amendment

Live Law  

During the Lok Sabha discussion on the Right to Information Act Bill 2019, Dr. Shahsi Tharoor heavily criticized it, by terming it 'RTI Elimination Bill'.He said that changing the fixed tenure of the Information Commissioners, and making their service conditions subject to the executive rules to be framed by the Central Government will undermine their autonomy and. "Now through the …

Amendment to RTI Act will compromise autonomy of information commissions, undermine status of commissioners, say ex-officials
5 years, 8 months ago

Amendment to RTI Act will compromise autonomy of information commissions, undermine status of commissioners, say ex-officials

Firstpost  

The Right to Information Bill, 2019 proposes to give the Centre the powers to set the salaries and service conditions of information commissioners at the central and state levels. After the amendment to the RTI Act, the information commissioners will be totally dependent on the government for tenure and salaries, Acharyulu said. Wajahat Habibullah, the first chief information commissioner, claimed …

Anna Hazare accuses Narendra Modi govt of ‘betraying’ people after Lok Sabha passes RTI Amendment bill
5 years, 8 months ago

Anna Hazare accuses Narendra Modi govt of ‘betraying’ people after Lok Sabha passes RTI Amendment bill

Firstpost  

A day after the Lok Sabha passed amendments to the Right to Information Act, social activist Anna Hazare on Tuesday accused the Union government of betraying Indian citizens through the move. Pune: A day after the Lok Sabha passed amendments to the Right to Information Act, social activist Anna Hazare on Tuesday accused the Union government of betraying Indian citizens …

Subverting the RTI regime
5 years, 8 months ago

Subverting the RTI regime

The Hindu  

The recent passage of the Right to Information Bill by the Lok Sabha has reignited the debate on the future of important institutions in India. Two of the most controversial provisions of the Bill are: a) the stipulation that the terms of office of the Central and State Information Commissioners will be determined by the Central government as against the …

Lok Sabha passes bill amending Right To Information Act; Opposition terms it 'attempt to undermine the law'
5 years, 8 months ago

Lok Sabha passes bill amending Right To Information Act; Opposition terms it 'attempt to undermine the law'

Firstpost  

Lok Sabha passed the bill amending the RTI Act, amid objections by the Opposition which alleged that it was an attempt to undermine the law. New Delhi: Lok Sabha on Monday passed the bill amending the Right To Information Act, amid objections by the Opposition which alleged that it was an attempt to undermine the law and make the transparency …

Lok Sabha passes Bill amending RTI Act amidst strong objection from Opposition
5 years, 8 months ago

Lok Sabha passes Bill amending RTI Act amidst strong objection from Opposition

The Hindu  

The Lok Sabha on Monday passed the Right to Information Bill, 2019 three days after it was introduced. The Bill states that the functions being carried out by the Election Commission of India and the Central and State Information Commissions are totally different. Some MPs even called it the ‘RTI Elimination Bill.’ Leader of the Congress in the House Adhir …

Lok Sabha passes RTI Amendment Bill: Here is what you need to know
5 years, 8 months ago

Lok Sabha passes RTI Amendment Bill: Here is what you need to know

India TV News  

A bill proposing to give the Centre the power to set the tenure and salaries of the Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners was passed in the Lok Sabha on Monday amid strong objection from the Opposition. Moving the bill, which was tabled in the house on July 19, for passage, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, Jitendra …

Opposition slams govt over RTI Amendment bill, says govt planning to make transparency panel a 'toothless tiger'
5 years, 8 months ago

Opposition slams govt over RTI Amendment bill, says govt planning to make transparency panel a 'toothless tiger'

Firstpost  

“The RTI Bill, 2019, is a deliberate attempt to undermine the RTI Act and make it toothless tiger like National Human Rights Commission,” Congress leader Shashi Tharoor alleged New Delhi: The opposition on Friday slammed the government in Lok Sabha over the provisions of a bill to amend the Right to Information Act, alleging it has been brought to undermine …

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