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

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.

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)