New RTI Act

RTI Act 2015 

The Right to Information Act 2005 makes it compulsory for the citizens to receive responses regarding the government information on time. This initiative was taken by the Department of Personnel. Along with this, the Ministry of Personnel, as well as Public grievances, were also a part of the decision. The initiative is to provide an RTI portal gateway to the citizens for the purpose of quick search about the details of first Appellate authorities etc. 

The fundamental motive of the Right to Information Act is to give power to the citizens. Along with this, the motive is to promote transparency along with accountability in the functioning of the Government. An informed citizen is better equipped to keep a vital vigil on the instruments of governance. The Right to information is a huge Act that is a big step in making the citizens aware of the activities taking place in the Government. 

Amendments made to the RTI Act 

The amendments that were made to the RTI Act included :

1. The centre must possess the powers to keep the salaries as well as service conditions of Information commissioners at the central level along with the state level.
2. Duration of the central chief Information commissioners will be as per the duration prescribed by the Central Government.
3. The original act tends to prescribe salaries as well as allowances and other terms of the service of the state chief information commissioner similar to that of the election commissioner. The salaries, as well as the other services, would be prescribed by the Central Government according to the amendment made.

However, the amendments that were made received criticism. The amendments were observed as a threat to the Independence of the central information commissioner. By diminishing the status of the IC, CIC, as well as the State CIC from that of a judge of the Supreme Court, it would tend to decrease their capability to issue directives to senior government functionaries. The amendments would give power to the centre to create rules to decide the duration, salary, allowances, along with other terms of service of Information commissions. This will basically tend to lower the institution of the information commission. The major reason behind this is that it will affect the capability of commissioners to work in an independent way. 

Justification by the Government regarding the amendments 

The Government claims that the equality brought between the election commission as well as central and state information commissioners is flawed by the amendments. The amendments tend to reinforce the act and bring a great amount of transparency. 

The amendments play an important role in building the overall structure of RTI. 

An equal status has been provided to CIC as that of the Supreme Court judge. However, the judgements of the CIC are eligible to get challenged within the High Court. 

Conclusion 

The Right to Information Act 2005 makes it compulsory for the citizens to receive responses regarding the government information on time. This initiative was taken by the Department of Personnel and Training, Ministry of Personnel, Public grievances and pensions. The fundamental objective of the Right to Information Act is to give power to the citizens as well as promote transparency along with accountability in the functioning of the Government. The amendments that were made to the RTI Act included: The centre must possess the powers to keep the salaries as well as service conditions of Information commissioners at the central level along with the state level, duration of the central chief Information commissioners will be as per the duration prescribed by the Central Government, The original act tends to prescribe salaries as well as allowances and other terms of the service of the state chief information commissioner similar to that of the election commissioner. The amendments play an important role in building the overall structure of RTI.