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Civil society groups call on govt. to not water down RTI Act

By99notes
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(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 3)

Topic: GS2 – Indian Polity

Context

  • Over 30 civil society organizations have urged the Union government to refrain from weakening the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005.

Analysis of the news:

  • The concern arises from an amendment passed in 2023 that limits the disclosure of government-held information.

  • The amendment modifies Section 8(1)(j), which currently allows authorities to deny personal information but provides an exception for cases of public interest.

  • The 2023 amendment removes this public interest provision, making it harder to access crucial government-related data.

  • This change was enacted through the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023.

  • Since the DPDP Act is yet to be fully enforced, activists demand that the 2025 DPDP Rules should not notify this amendment and that Parliament must reverse it.

How RTI Has Been Weakened in Recent Times?

Challenges:

  • The 2019 Amendment gave the government power to fix the tenure and salaries of Information Commissioners, reducing their independence.

  • Many key RTI posts remain vacant, leading to delays in responding to requests.

  • The 2023 amendment to Section 8(1)(j) now allows officials to deny public interest disclosures on the grounds of personal data protection.

  • Increasing misuse of national security and confidentiality clauses has led to rising RTI rejections.

  • Reports show that RTI applicants and whistleblowers face harassment, discouraging people from using the law.

  • Many states lack digital RTI platforms, making it harder for citizens to file requests and access government-held information.

Way Forward:

  • Reverse the 2023 amendment to restore public interest disclosures under Section 8(1)(j).

  • Strengthen the Central Information Commission (CIC) and State Information Commissions (SICs) by ensuring timely appointments and greater independence.

  • Increase funding and resources for RTI implementation to prevent delays and backlogs.

  • Implement digital platforms for RTI applications in all states to ensure easier access to information.

  • Enforce strict penalties for wrongful RTI rejections and protect whistleblowers from threats or harm.

  • Ensure greater public awareness and participation in the RTI process to reinforce transparency and accountability in governance.

Practice Question: The recent amendments to the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, have raised concerns about weakening transparency and accountability in governance. Critically analyze the impact of these amendments and suggest measures to strengthen the RTI framework. (250 Words /15 marks)

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