NEW DELHI: The Congress has accused the Modi-led NDA government of systematically dismantling the Right to Information (RTI) Act, calling it a betrayal of transparency and accountability.
Addressing the media on the twentieth anniversary of the Act’s implementation, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the government had turned the Central Information Commission (CIC) into a powerless institution. He described the BJP’s approach as the “Right to Intimidate” rather than the Right to Information.
Ramesh said the RTI Act, introduced under the UPA government in 2005, was a landmark step to ensure public access to information and accountability. He alleged that the 2019 amendment to the Act weakened it further, while the Digital Personal Data Protection Act posed a greater threat by limiting access to information under the pretext of privacy.
He pointed out that the CIC was operating with only two members and that the post of Chief Information Commissioner had been vacant for two years. “The CIC looks like a ghost house,” he said.
Ramesh listed five major instances that he said angered the government, including RTI revelations on the Prime Minister’s degree, fake ration card claims, demonetisation deliberations, top loan defaulters, and unfulfilled promises on black money.
He warned that Section 44(3) of the new data law, if not amended, would end public access to crucial information. “People in public life cannot hide behind claims of personal information,” he said, urging for urgent amendments.
