Stop destruction of RTI Act, Jairam Ramesh tells Vaishnaw

The proposed amendment to the Digital Personal Data Protection Act threatens to severely undermine the Right to Information Act by eliminating exceptions for disclosing personal information in the public interest. This shift risks destroying the balance between privacy and transparency, as it prohibits releasing sensitive data even when accountability demands it, contrary to previous provisions. Activists and opposition leaders argue this change invalidates a conscious legal equilibrium established by the existing RTI framework. While the government claims privacy laws render current allowances unnecessary, critics contend this approach allows authorities to curate information, potentially hiding corruption and reducing governmental accountability to citizens. This issue is critical for open data because it directly impacts the availability of public records essential for civic oversight. If enacted, the amendment would restrict access to data regarding subsidy beneficiaries and other personal details, hindering the open data movement’s goal of fostering transparency. Protecting these data access rights is vital for maintaining an informed society and ensuring government bodies remain answerable to the public they serve.

Source: thehindu.com
Published on 2025-03-24

Stop destruction of RTI Act, Jairam Ramesh tells Vaishnaw

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