Temporary halt to RTI Amendment Bill

The much debated amendments to the Right to Information (RTI) Act, under process of legislation has drawn resistance right from within the Central RTI Commission.

The main objection raised is that the amendment will weaken the Commission. And Central RTI Commissioner Sridhar Acharyulu has asked the government to desist from the amendment move, in a letter to the Central Information Commission.

In the letter sent on 19 July, and addressed to senior Commissioner Yashovardhan Azad – in the absence of Chief RTI Commission RK Mathur on leave - Acharyulu raised this suggestion for deferment.

The Commission sources have disclosed that a meeting of all the RTI Commissioners should be called on the subject. The letter points out that the Bill defeats the very purpose of the 2005 RTI Act and disregards federalism. However, no meeting as requested in the letter, has been called so far.

In the letter, jointly addressed to other Commissioners too, Aharyulu demanded proposing the withdrawal of the 'RTI Amendment Bill – 2018'. The Central Government is considering the Chief Information Commissioner as below the rank of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).

If the CEC constituted under Article 324(1), is a constitutional body, how can the RTI Commissioner formed under Article 19(1) not be one, asks the letter. The right to vote and the right to information are basic rights.

As per the Act of 2005, Parliament has ensured the continuity of RTI Commissioners. As per this, he can continue in office for 5 years or until the age of 65, whichever is earlier. But through the bill, the government seeks to take away the right of the parliament and assemblies in this matter.