Open In App

Right To Information (Amendment) Bill 2019

Improve
Improve
Like Article
Like
Save
Share
Report

The amendments were made under the RTI Act, 2005 under sections 13 and section 16 which later came to be known as the Right to information (amendment) bill 2019. The RTI Act was passed in 2005 by the central government of India to make sure that every citizen holds equal rights to access government information and bring transparency to government work. However, the amendment bill of 2019 seems to be a threat to the federalism and accountability of the RTI act, of 2005.

RTI Act, 2005 and its Main Objective:

The central government of India passed the Right to Information Act on October 12th, 2005. The act allows national citizens to access information under public authorities. The main objective behind setting up the RTI ACT 2005 was to promote transparency, reduce corruption, and increase the accountability of government officials. Under this act variety of information can be accessed through public authorities like Press releases, memos, emails, logbooks, contracts, paper samples, orders, advice, and circulars. 

What were the Amendments Made in the RTI Amendment Bill, 2019:

A. Section 13 of the RTI Act, 2005:

The serving period of the chief information commissioner or the information commissioners will be of 5 years and before the retirement age of 65. For example, if the chief information commissioner has served only 3 years but his/her age crosses 65 then he or needs to retire from his position. Also, the payments and other allowances of the chief information commissioner were kept the same as the chief election commissioner under the RT act, 2005, while the information commissioners get the same pay as the election commissioner.

B. Amended section 13 under RTI Amendment Bill, 2019:

The appointments and the total serving period of the chief information commissioners and the information commissioners will be as directed by the Central Government of India. Also, the salaries and other allowances for the chief information commissioners and the information commissioners will be decided by the central government of India. 

C. The Section 16 of the RTI Act, 2005:

Section 16 of the RTI Act, 2005 handles the appointment of chief information officers and the information officers on the state level. 

D. Amended section 16 under RTI amendment bill, 2019:

With the amendments in section 16, the central government of India also took over the control of the appointment of the state-level chief information commissioners and the information commissioner by prescribing certain rules and other terms and conditions. 

E. Other Amendments:

To let the chief information and information commissioners work more effectively and independently the Central Government of India matched the level of Election Commissioners with the Central Information Commissioner (CIC), and the state information commissioner was leveled up with the chief secretary of the state. However, the Central Government of India ignored the recommendation made by the standing committee of the parliament that the CIC (Chief Information Commissioner) should be provided with the same level as the Chief election commissioner while the information commissioner should be at the level of the election commissioners. However, the Central Government of India made amendments under section13,16 and took full control of appointing, deciding the service period, and the salaries of the CIC and information commissioners. 

What are the issues in the Proposed Amendment?

The RTI amendment bill, 2019 has been criticized by the public, government officials, and many politicians as well and this is mainly because of some of the issues in the bill mentioned below.

  • The Government got the right, to appoint information commissioners, thus independency and transparency seem to be lost.
  • The wages and service period of the information commissioners will also be deiced by the government. 

A. Views of Critics about the RTI act 2019 Amendment:

The RTI amendment bill, 2019 was criticized a lot, not only by the citizens but by many politicians, ex-ministers, and economists. Almost all the critics have the same opinion and view about the RTI amendment bill 2019, that it will badly affect the transparency of information in the system. From its launch in 2005 till its amendment in 2019, the RTI has no interference from the government in it. But soon after the amendment bill of 2019, the government got major powers to control and regulate RTI. As the right to appointment of information and chief information commissioners was given to the government the RTI no more remain an independent body. Also, many critics believe that this amendment bill is a direct attack on the democracy of the nation. 

B. Impact on the Autonomy and Independence of the Information Commission:

The amendments made under the original RTI act 2005 through the RTI amendment bill, 2019 are quite alarming and have adverse effects on the independence and the autonomy of the information commission. As the Central Government becomes the major authority to look after the appointment, salaries, and the serving tenures of information and chief information commissioners. Then it completely retards the transparency in the system and leaves no autonomy or independence left behind for the information commission. As the major decision in the information commission will be taken by the central Government then the information commission remains no more an independent body.

 


Last Updated : 21 Jul, 2022
Like Article
Save Article
Previous
Next
Share your thoughts in the comments
Similar Reads