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RTI (Amendment) Bill
Why in news
- Bill to amend the Right to Information (RTI) Act was introduced in the Lok Sabha.
- The Bill was introduced amid protest by opposition parties.
More in news
- Provisions of the Bill
(1) Status of the Information Commissioners who are at with the Election Commissioners is changed.
(2) Currently, Section 13(5) of the Act provides that these are equivalent to that of the Chief Election Commissioner for the Chief Information Commissioner and to an Election Commissioner for an Information Commissioner.
(3) It has empowered the Union government to set the term of office, salaries, allowances and other terms and conditions of Information Commissioners.
Rationale behind these Changes
- Difference in functionsof Election Commission and the Central and State Information Commissions.
- The Election Commission of India is a constitutional body and Central Information Commission and State Information Commissions are statutory bodiesestablished under the Right to Information Act, 2005.
- If CIC has the status of a Supreme Court judge but the judgment of CIC which can be appealed in High Courts creates anomalies.
- To strengthen the RTI structure, corrected anomalies and for administration purposes.
Criticism
- The Bill has been termed as RTI elimination Billby the opposition.
- Threat to the independence of the Central Information Commission
- The opposition has also sought referring the Bill to Parliamentary standing Committee.
About RTI
- The Right to Information Act 2005 mandates timely response to citizen’s request for Govts information.
- The Objective of the Act is to empower the citizens, promote transparency and accountability in the working of the Govt.
- Under the Act rights included are
(1) Inspection of work, documents and records
(2) Taking notes extracts or certified copies of documents or records and etc.
- Public authorities under the Act means authorities, bodies, institutions of self-government which are established or constituted by
(1) Constitution
(2) Law of parliament or state legislature
(3) Order of state Govt and Central Govt
- Bodies owned, controlled or substantially financed by the state or central Govts.