Page 2 - Latest Updates on Right to Information Act
How confidential should bank inspection reports be?
An emotional affirmation to disclose sensitive, confidential exchanges generically must be avoided
 "How confidential should bank inspection reports be?")
Year in Review: Top 6 landmark judgments delivered by Supreme Court in 2019
From the Ayodhya title suit to Sabarimala and striking down of the Section 87 of the Arbitration & Conciliation Act, here are the landmark SC verdicts of 2019
 "Year in Review: Top 6 landmark judgments delivered by Supreme Court in 2019")
Electoral bonds: FinMin knew serial number could reveal donor's identity
Ministry was reluctant to assign serial numbers initially, but relented after SBI raised concerns about internal control and reconciliation
 "Electoral bonds: FinMin knew serial number could reveal donor's identity")
Now, you can seek information under RTI in Kerala using this online portal
People can now submit applications through the web portal edistrict.kerala.gov.in with the help of a user ID, which can be created using the link new portal user creation
 "Now, you can seek information under RTI in Kerala using this online portal")
Centre notifies RTI act amendments, ignores civil society concerns
The government had in July introduced a bill to amend the transparency law, a move criticised by transparency activists who termed it "an attack on the independence of the panel"
 "Centre notifies RTI act amendments, ignores civil society concerns")
Best of BS opinion: Testing the impact of tax cut, definition of employment
Here's a selection of Business Standard opinion pieces for the day
 "Best of BS opinion: Testing the impact of tax cut, definition of employment")
Substantial ambiguity
A broader RTI Act needs sharper definitions
 "Substantial ambiguity")
Thermal power plants in India using more water than permitted limit: RTI
About 51% of 156 thermal plants across 12 states whose data could be obtained declared themselves compliant with water norms early this year
 "Thermal power plants in India using more water than permitted limit: RTI")
Why fix something that is not broken?
The government's decision to amend the Right to Information Act doesn't make sense; it also creates suspicion about the actual motives
 "Why fix something that is not broken?")
Tenure erosion can be a subversive tool
If the law protects the tenure, the office-bearer is ring-fenced from acting under fear of being sacked
 "Tenure erosion can be a subversive tool")
Letter to BS: RTI not only jams up govt work but also that of the courts
RTI has been of no help in addressing these severe social problems
 "Letter to BS: RTI not only jams up govt work but also that of the courts")
Letter to BS: RTI amendments dilute common citizens' right to information
By limiting the freedom and autonomy of information commissioners, the amendments undermine the Right to Information (RTI) Act and deprive people of a powerful tool for empowerment
Illusion of empowerment: Why we must oppose any law that makes RTI illusory
The RTI (Amendment) Bill, 2019, eats into the independence of Information Commissioners, hollowing out the Act without touching on any of the substantive rights or procedural rights the Act provides
 "Illusion of empowerment: Why we must oppose any law that makes RTI illusory")
'Spirit of RTI Act killed', says Opposition as Lok Sabha passes amendment
The Right to Information (Amendment) Bill, 2019, takes away the stature of information commissioners from equivalent of election commissioners
 "'Spirit of RTI Act killed', says Opposition as Lok Sabha passes amendment")
BJP leader files plea in SC for bringing all political parties under RTI
The plea has been filed by BJP leader and advocate Ashwini Upadhyay
 "BJP leader files plea in SC for bringing all political parties under RTI")
RTI Act under siege, may slow down India's fight against corruption
The last part of the series analyses the difficulties of amending the RTI Act
 "RTI Act under siege, may slow down India's fight against corruption")
RTI has brought sea change in India: Venkaiah Naidu
According to Kautilya, good governance is aimed at fulfilling the welfare of the people
 "RTI has brought sea change in India: Venkaiah Naidu")
