The aim of the Right to Information Act, 2005 was to enable citizens to access information held by the public authorities. This was to bring transparency and accountability of these public authorities. For the success of the RTI Act, the autonomy and independence of the Information Commission is an essential condition. Security of tenure and fixed terms of service are essential for the autonomy of the CIC.
But the recent amendments to the RTI Act, 2005 seem to be limiting the autonomy and independence of the Information commission.
These recent amendments are:
1. The term of the office of the chief information Commission of the central information commission and state information Commissions would be prescribed by the central government.
2. The amendment says that the salaries, allowances and other terms of the service shall be prescribed by the central government.
When we look at the above amendments, it becomes clear that the central government wants to take away the security of tenure and prescribe terms of service of the information commissioners, effectively taking away the autonomy and independence.
These changes to the RTI Act may turn the Information Commissions into caged parrots like the CBI, which are accused of towing the government‟s line.
To restore people‟s confidence and trust in their Right to Information, the Information Commissions and the Information Commissioners both at the central and state levels should be granted constitutional status. This will ensure their autonomy and independence like that of the Election Commission. C&AG and the UPSC.
But the recent amendments to the RTI Act, 2005 seem to be limiting the autonomy and independence of the Information commission.
These recent amendments are:
1. The term of the office of the chief information Commission of the central information commission and state information Commissions would be prescribed by the central government.
2. The amendment says that the salaries, allowances and other terms of the service shall be prescribed by the central government.
When we look at the above amendments, it becomes clear that the central government wants to take away the security of tenure and prescribe terms of service of the information commissioners, effectively taking away the autonomy and independence.
These changes to the RTI Act may turn the Information Commissions into caged parrots like the CBI, which are accused of towing the government‟s line.
To restore people‟s confidence and trust in their Right to Information, the Information Commissions and the Information Commissioners both at the central and state levels should be granted constitutional status. This will ensure their autonomy and independence like that of the Election Commission. C&AG and the UPSC.
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