What are the recent changes proposed to the Right to Information (RTI) Act? Should they be of any cause of concern? Discuss. (200 words)
Refer – The Indian Express
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IAS Parliament 6 years
KEY POINTS
· The Central government seeks control over the tenure, salary and allowances of the Chief and other Information Commissioners at Centre, and State Chief Information Commissioners.
· The centre will also fix the terms for State Information Commissioners.
· The proposed changes would weaken the information commission and dilute its independence, promote patronage and increase lobbying for the posts.
· It would eliminate the parity they currently have with the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners.
· Thus, the equivalence with a Supreme Court judge in matters of pay, allowances and conditions of service would also be disturbed.
· Also, the Supreme Court has held right to information as being integral to the right to free expression under Article 19.
· Thus, weakening the transparency law would go against this guarantee.
· Any attempt to dilute the law would deal a blow to transparency and the ability of people to hold the government accountable for the delivery of basic services and rights.
Shankaranand 6 years
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IAS Parliament 6 years
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