Amid protests by opposition members, the government on Friday introduced the RTI amendment Bill 2019 in the Lok Sabha that seeks to define the salaries and terms and conditions of service of chief information commissioners.
The opposition MPs said the Bill will dilute the power and autonomy of the body which acted as a transparency watchdog. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said it was not a RTI amendment Bill, but a RTI elimination Bill. Congress' Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said the Bill was against the fundamental rights of the people. Assaduddin Owaisi said the bill lacked competence and encroached upon the rights of the state as the Centre will be deciding on the salaries of the state information commissioners.
However, the government said the opposition should allow the bill to be introduced and hold debate.
Minister Jitender Singh denied opposition charges that no consultation was done before bringing the Bill. “We consulted with the legal department and now have come to Parliament. We will debate here and listen to your suggestions.”
Talking about the need of the Bill, Singh said UPA government had brought a clumsy bill in a hurry.
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“How can you justify CIC being equated with the SC? But CIC judgments are challenged in HC. Is there any provision across the world that a SC judgment then be debated by the HC,”the minister said. He said the Bill will promote ease of delivery.
Referring to the opposition charge that the bill was not circulated to the members two days in advance, minister said MPs were questioning the power of the Speaker who had deemed it fit to allow the introduction.
Before the Bill could be introduced, Owaisi asked for division (voting). As the Congress and TMC MPs had already staged a walkout. The Bill was introduced as votes in favour of the Bill were 224 and 9 against it.
The Bill is likely to face strong opposition in both the houses of the Parliament. Even the RTI activists are against the Bill saying it violated the spirit of the law which was aimed at bringing transparency and giving autonomy to the information commissioners.
