Future Prospects of Right to Information Act in India

Abstract

Till date political parties haven’t done much to win the trust of masses and bring transparency in their functioning. It was after long resistance from their side information from income tax department regarding their income was given under chief information commissioner directions. Earlier they were even resisting this direction of Chief Information Commissioner (CIC). Similar disclosure pertaining to corruption charges were resisted by them it was only under the direction of Supreme Court they agreed to share this information. So whatever steps have been taken to ensure transparency in their functioning has received stiff opposition from their side. In recent years Right to information Act is being debated for wrong reasons. This act is being considered as one of the most empowering act in recent Indian history but due to CIC decision to bring political parties under the ambit of RTI and 2019 amendment to the act concerns have been raised on the future prospects of this act. In 2013 CIC directed six major political parties to appoint public information officer and appellate authority as they fall in the category of public authority under the RTI Act. Despite CIC order political parties haven't complied with this order and are of the view that CIC is wrong in terming them as political authority as they are not created by any act of Parliament. Secondly civil society and opposition parties have strong apprehension that 2019 amendment to RTI act is a big blow for the autonomy of this very institution and with it the independence of the institution has been seriously compromised. In this article we will try and discuss Right to information act and its future prospects in the light of above two developments.