Right to Information

• Central Information Commission (CIC) recently commemorated the 18^th anniversary of enactment of the RTI Act.
• Over these years, CIC has facilitated and disposed of more than 3.5 lakh second appeals/complaints.

About Right to Information Act

• Right to Information Act 2005 mandates timely response to citizen requests for government information.
• Objective– to empower the citizens, promote transparency and accountability in the working of the Government, contain corruption, and make our democracy work for the people in a real sense.

• The right to information is a fundamental right under Article 19 (1) of the Indian Constitution.
  • In 1976, in the Raj Narain vs the State of Uttar Pradesh case, the Supreme Court ruled that Right to information will be treated as a fundamental right under article 19.
• Any person who is citizen of India or Non-Residents of India can file RTI.
• Right to Information (Amendment) Act, 2019-
  • It provided that the Chief Information Commissioner and an Information Commissioner (of Centre as well as States) shall hold office for such term as prescribed by the Central Government. Earlier, their term was fixed for 5 years.
  • It provided that the salary, allowances and other service conditions of the Chief Information Commissioner and an Information Commissioner (of Centre as well as States) shall be such as prescribed by the Central Government.
• Challenges- As of June 30, 2023, there were 3.21 lakh pending appeals and complaints within the 27 information commissions, which serve as the final appellate authorities under this legislation.