Changes to RTI Act will make it toothless

This is the second time in the past four years that the
Right to Information (RTI) Act, which has made a difference to the lives of
millions of ordinary people, is under the threat of becoming toothless.

This time around, the Centre has proposed several
amendments to the sunshine act, including denial of information about file
notings where decision is yet to be taken and adding clauses that allow a
public information officer (PIO) to deny information by deeming it as
frivolous or vexatious in nature.
Shailesh Gandhi, who is now the Central Information Commissioner, Delhi,
emphasised that the RTI Act must not be touched as its provisions empower
citizens to procure information without delay and harassment from state
officials. “Any kind of change will only cause confusion and it will be used
as a ploy by PIOs to deny information.’’

“The DoPT had proposed amendments such as defining
institutions which have substantial finance funding and even adding
sub-sections to S. 4 of the Act. S. 4 of the RTI Act empowers citizen to suo
moto inspect government files and documents and there is no need to add a
citizen charter to it. Similarly, quasi-government organisations and
charitable trusts partly funded by the government come within the ambit of the
RTI Act,’’ Gandhi said.

The RTI seminar was organised by the Bombay Chartered
Accountants’ Society (BCAS) along with Mahiti Adhikar Manch and Public Concern
for Governance Trust. About 50 RTI activists and citizens participated in a
discussion on future course of action to oppose these amendments.

(Source : The Times of India, 21-10-2009)