Centre plotting to undermine RTI Act: Mallikarjun Kharge raises flag

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge strongly criticized the proposals related to the Right to Information (RTI) Act outlined in the Union government’s recent Economic Survey . He alleged that the suggestion to “review” the RTI Act amounted to striking a dagger at democracy . Taking to social media platform X , Kharge accused the government of attempting to bury transparency and shield corruption through such measures.

Kharge specifically highlighted the “ministerial veto” provision suggested in the Economic Survey. He said that granting ministers the authority to block information disclosure effectively curtails citizens’ right to question . By excluding officials’ service records, transfers, and other personal details from public scrutiny, accountability within the bureaucracy would be eroded, he warned.

Kharge claimed that since 2014 , the Modi government has systematically weakened the RTI Act . He pointed out that the 2019 amendments placed the tenure and salaries of Information Commissioners under government control, bringing independent institutions under its grip. With over 26,000 cases currently pending, he described the situation as a “manifestation of systemic failure.”

Describing the 2023 Digital Personal Data Protection Act as a “weapon,” Kharge said it allows the government to withhold information in the name of privacy , thereby protecting corruption. He also noted that the Chief Information Commissioner’s post has remained vacant seven times over the past 11 years, effectively crippling the institution.

Referring to attacks on RTI activists , Kharge expressed anguish that over 100 activists have been killed since 2014 . He said the BJP government has completely failed to implement the ‘Whistle Blowers Protection Act, 2014’ enacted by the UPA, leaving honest individuals’ lives at risk.

Finally, Kharge warned that just as the government has already undermined the employment guarantee scheme , it now appears intent on similarly dismantling the RTI Act. He called for urgent measures to safeguard this law, describing it as the “backbone of democracy.”