What is the Right to Information Act, 2005?
The Right to Information Act (RTI) Act of India is a law that was passed in India in 2005 to ensure that the common man has the right to access information from all the branches of the government. Under this Act, people can file an RTI application and seek any material, in any form (with some exceptions) from the government. This material includes documents, records, reports, samples, data etc. Millions of RTI applications are filed every year to keep the government answerable for its performance and ensure that it delivers basic rights to the citizens.
How does one file an RTI application?
Any person who desires information has to submit a written or electronic request to the Public Information Officer (PIO) with a fixed fee. The Information Commissioners in the state and the centre are the final authority on whether governments must disclose information that is sought by RTI applicants. The law provided them with a fixed salary and a term of 5 years.
What are the changes proposed under the RTI (Amendment) Bill, 2019?
As per the RTI Act of 2005, the Information Commissioners at the central and state level will hold office for a term of five years with a fixed salary, and other allowances.
However, as per the RTI (Amendment) Bill, 2019, the power will be given to the Central government to decide the term, salary, allowances and other terms of service.
Currently, the Information Commissioners work independently and impartially as the government has no say in fixing their salaries and terms. If the government can decide the terms of Information Commissioner, it might be in a position to unduly influence them that is not in line with the spirit and intention of the law.
The government, on the other hand, argues that it is only strengthening the RTI law and any fears regarding the amendment are misplaced.
The Right to Information Act (RTI) Act of India is a law that was passed in India in 2005 to ensure that the common man has the right to access information from all the branches of the government. Under this Act, people can file an RTI application and seek any material, in any form (with some exceptions) from the government. This material includes documents, records, reports, samples, data etc. Millions of RTI applications are filed every year to keep the government answerable for its performance and ensure that it delivers basic rights to the citizens.
How does one file an RTI application?
Any person who desires information has to submit a written or electronic request to the Public Information Officer (PIO) with a fixed fee. The Information Commissioners in the state and the centre are the final authority on whether governments must disclose information that is sought by RTI applicants. The law provided them with a fixed salary and a term of 5 years.
What are the changes proposed under the RTI (Amendment) Bill, 2019?
As per the RTI Act of 2005, the Information Commissioners at the central and state level will hold office for a term of five years with a fixed salary, and other allowances.
However, as per the RTI (Amendment) Bill, 2019, the power will be given to the Central government to decide the term, salary, allowances and other terms of service.
Currently, the Information Commissioners work independently and impartially as the government has no say in fixing their salaries and terms. If the government can decide the terms of Information Commissioner, it might be in a position to unduly influence them that is not in line with the spirit and intention of the law.
The government, on the other hand, argues that it is only strengthening the RTI law and any fears regarding the amendment are misplaced.
0 comments:
Post a Comment