3. SESSION OBJECTIVE
What is RTI
When and Why it was formed
Need & Benefits of RTI
Proposed amendments of RTI 2013
Group Views regarding acceptance of Amendment
Bill
4. WHAT IS RTI ACT?
The Right to Information Act (RTI) is an Act of the Parliament Of
India "to provide for setting out the practical regime of right to
information for citizens" and replaces the erstwhile Freedom of
Information Act, 2002.
The Act extends to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and
Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir has its own act called ‟’Jammu &
Kashmir Right to Information Act,2009‟‟.
Under the provisions of the Act, any citizen (excluding the citizens
within J&K) may Request information from a “public authority” (a
body of Government or "instrumentality of State") which is required
to reply expeditiously or within thirty days.
5. GENESIS OF RTI IN INDIA
The RTI movement was started in Rajasthan by the
Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS), an
organization formed by Aruna Roy, an IAS officer
who left her job to actively involve herself in this
movement in 1990.
6. WHEN AND WHY IT WAS FORMED?
This law was passed by Parliament on 15 June 2005 and came
fully into force on 12 October 2005.
Information disclosure in India was restricted by the Official
Secrets Act 1923 and various other special laws, which the
new RTI Act relaxes.
It is claimed to promote a "citizen-centric approach to
development" and to increase the efficiency of public welfare
schemes run by the government.
7. NEED FOR RTI ACT?
Promote Transparency of Information
Promote openness in administration
Promote Accountability in the working of every public
authority
Empowerment of Citizens
Building capacity of government officials as information
providers
Democracy requires an informed citizen
Preservation of confidentiality of sensitive Information.
8. BENEFITS OF RTI
RTI is the „Oxygen of Democracy‟. Gives meaning to
participatory democracy.
Make government responsive.
Marginalized groups are given a voice and tool to scrutinize
development activities.
Equitability, economic development and national stability is
enhanced.
Promotes openness, transparency and accountability in public
administration.
Make citizens part of decision making.
Supports participatory development and is a proven anti-
corruption tool.
9. DISPOSAL OF REQUEST
(S.7)
Time limit for giving information 30 days
If information concerns life and
liberty of a person
must be given within 48 hrs
If information is given by third
party then invite objections if
any
add 10 extra days
No action on application for 30
days
deemed refusal
11. AMENDMENDS PROPOSED
The Right to Information (Amendment) Bill 2013 was
introduced on August 12 in the Lower House(LOK SABHA)
by the Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and
Pensions, V. Narayanasamy.
The Cabinet had last month cleared a proposal to amend the
RTI Act to give immunity to political parties and negate a
Central Information Commission (CIC) order to this effect.
The Cabinet‟s decision had come nearly two months after the
Central Information Commission‟s order of bringing six
national political parties — Congress, BJP, NCP, CPI—M,
CPI and BSP — under the RTI Act.
The Government has proposed an amendment in Section 2 of
the Act, which defines public authority, to shield the political
parties.
12. CONTINUED..
The proposed amendments, if accepted by Parliament, will make it
clear that the definition of public authority shall not include any
political party registered under the Representation of the People Act,
officials said.
The CIC had in its order on June 3 held that the six national parties
have been substantially funded indirectly by the Central Government
and were required to appoint public information officers as they
have the character of a public authority under the RTI Act.
The Right to Information (Amendment) Bill, 2013 seeks to insert an
explanation in Section 2 of the Act which states that any association
or body of individuals registered or recognized as political party
under the Representation of the People Act, 1951 will not be
considered a public authority.
Referring to the CIC order of June, the bill also makes it clear that
anything contained in any judgment, decree or order of any court or
commission will not affect the status of political parties recognised
under the Representation of the People Act.
13. GROUP VIEWS REGARDING ACCEPTANCE OF
AMENDMENT BILL
The Amendment should be part of
public discussion.
Information cannot be generated
regarding the funds transfer between
political parties and the businessman.
