Seeking Exemption of ‘Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005’
Recently, the armed forces have sought complete exemption from the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005. This is because the RTI Act is misused in order to collect intelligence.
Exemptions under RTI:
- Section 8(1) of the Act does not compel any public authority to disclose information on the following grounds:
- the security and strategic, scientific or economic interests of the State,
- Publication of any information causes contempt of court,
- Records of deliberations of the Council of Ministers etc.
- Under section 24, intelligence or security organizations established by the Central Government (which are specified in the Second Schedule) are excluded from the disclosure of information. But information has to be provided in case of corruption and violation of human rights.
- The Central Government can amend the Second Schedule through notification.
Source – The Hindu
