Dark clouds over the RTI

Dark clouds over the RTI

Article

  1. Nikhil Dey and Aruna Roy, founder member of Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan, has criticized the government for bringing amendment to RTI act without proper consultation.

Important Analysis

2. Item 14 in the legislative agenda of the monsoon session of Parliament (from July 18) says “To amend The Right to Information (RTI) Act 2005 — for Introduction, Consideration, and Passing.”

3. Author claim that applications for information about amendments made under the RTI Act have been stonewalled and information denied.

4. However, as per the “pre legislative consultation policy” of the government of India any amendment to the law should have been discussed before it went to the cabinet.

5. Author also says that public servants has been troubled by accountability and have seen RTI Act as interference.

6. Author claim that the government has tried to protect bureaucrats by amending the Lokpal Act in such a way that assets of family members of public servants do not have to be disclosed in the public domain.

7. Attempts to made amendment in RTI act was made earlier also, but it was taken back due to strong popular resistance.

8. Author praise the RTI as it helps to

  • transform the relationship between the citizen and government,
  • dismantle illegitimate concentrations of power,
  • It mandates the replacement of a prevailing culture of secrecy with a culture of transparency.
  • RTI acts helps to uncover fraud
  • legitimize the demand for answers, and
  • Assist people in changing centuries of feudal and colonial relationships.

9. Author also raise concern about the unwillingness of government to operationalise the Lok Pal, the Whistleblowers Act and the Grievance Redress law

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