RTI Amendment Act

What is the RTI Act?

Under the RTI Act, 2005, Public Authorities are required to make disclosures on various aspects of their structure and functioning. This includes: (i) disclosure on their organisation, functions, and structure, (ii) powers and duties of its officers and employees, and (iii) financial information. The intent of such suo moto disclosures is that the public should need minimum recourse through the Act to obtain such information.

What are the amendments made in the Act?

· Provision

· RTI Act, 2005

· RTI (Amendment) Bill, 2019

· Term

The Chief Information Commissioner(CIC) and Information Commissioners(ICs) (at the central and state level) will hold office for a term of five years.

The Bill removes this provision and states that the central government will notify The term of office for the CIC and the ICs.

· Quantum of Salary

The salary of the CIC and ICs (at the central level) will be equivalent to the salary paid to the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners, respectively.
Similarly, the salary of the CIC and ICs (at the state level) will be equivalent to the salary paid to the Election Commissioners and the Chief Secretary to the state government, respectively.

·The Bill removes these provisions and states that the salaries, allowances, and other terms and conditions of service of the central and state CIC and ICs will be determined by the Central government.

The tenure of the commissioners has been cut to three years in the new rules. The salary of Chief Information Commissioner has been fixed at Rs 2.50 lakh while that of Information Commissioners at 25,000 less. Rule 22 states that the central government has the power to relax the provisions of any of the rules in respect of any class or category of persons.

Tags: Prelims