All information on political parties available under People's Act and IT Act: Kamal Nath

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath on Thursday said all pieces of important information relating to political parties are available under the Representation of People's Act and their financial statements under Income Tax Act.

Nath, who was talking to media here, said it is wrong to say that political parties are public authorities.

He said the political parties do not want to hide anything.

Nath said to go into depth to know how political parties are run is not within the public domain.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Personnel and Public Grievances V. Narayanasamy said whether the political parties should come under the ambit of RTI Act is a matter of public debate.

He said a Bill to amend the RTI Act has been introduced in Parliament and now it is for Parliament to decide the issue.

The Right to Information Amendment Bill, which is likely to be discussed in the Lok Sabha today, aims at keeping political parties out of RTI ambit.

The issue has been in the news after a June 3 Central Information Commission (CIC) order stated that six national political parties would be brought under the RTI Act as they were public authorities, receiving significant funding from the government.

Except Biju Janata Dal, most major political parties are in agreement with the amendment.

"There may be some consensus among some parties in both government and opposition to pass through this RTI amendment, but not everybody is agreeable. There are quite a number of people who are opposed to it and we will make our voice felt today by voting against this amendment," Biju Janata Dal leader Jay Panda said.

"Many members will say many things but I think the litmus test will be who will vote for and who will against this amendment," he added.