"Consistently eroded since 2014": DK Shivakumar slams Centre as RTI Act completes 20 years

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar argues that the Right to Information Act has been systematically weakened since 2014, fundamentally undermining democratic transparency. He contends that recent legislative changes have shifted power from independent oversight bodies to the executive branch, eroding the autonomy essential for holding government accountable. The core issue lies in amendments that grant the Union Government control over the tenure and service conditions of Information Commissioners, thereby compromising their independence. Additionally, new data protection laws have expanded the definition of personal information to create an absolute exemption, effectively blocking the disclosure of data related to public duties and public fund usage, even when such disclosure serves the broader public interest. This erosion of RTI is critical to open data initiatives because it restricts public audit mechanisms that rely on accessible government records. By limiting scrutiny of political funding and public expenditure, these legal shifts obscure the data necessary for civic engagement and institutional accountability. The article highlights the urgent need to restore institutional independence and protect whistleblowers to ensure that transparency remains a functional cornerstone of open governance rather than a theoretical right.

Source: news.webindia123.com
Published on 2025-10-13

"Consistently eroded since 2014": DK Shivakumar slams Centre as RTI Act completes 20 years

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