Congress accuses Modi govt of ‘systematically killing’ RTI Act

The Congress party alleges that the current administration has systematically undermined the Right to Information Act, transforming it from a tool for transparency into a mechanism for intimidation. By leaving key positions in the Central Information Commission vacant and amending the legislation, the opposition claims the government has rendered the oversight body ineffective. This erosion of institutional independence is viewed as a direct threat to democratic accountability and citizen rights. Critics argue that recent legal changes, specifically the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, create new barriers to accessing public records. They contend that broad privacy exemptions can be misused to conceal corruption and shield high-level officials from scrutiny. This legislative shift is perceived as an attempt to dismantle the public interest clause, thereby preventing citizens and journalists from obtaining critical information regarding government decisions and expenditures. This dynamic is highly relevant to open data because it highlights the fragility of legal frameworks that enable data transparency. The conflict illustrates how political power can restrict data accessibility through regulatory loopholes and institutional neglect. For open data advocates, this case serves as a critical warning about the necessity of robust safeguards that protect the free flow of information against governmental overreach and ensure that data remains a genuine tool for public accountability rather than a controlled resource.

Source: nagalandpost.com
Published on 2025-10-13

Congress accuses Modi govt of ‘systematically killing’ RTI Act

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