Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Y. S. Sharmila didn’t hold back on Sunday, accusing the BJP-led Central government of weakening the vital Right to Information (RTI) Act. This crucial legislation, originally brought into force by the Congress government in 2005, is now, according to Sharmila, a shadow of its former self.
In a strong statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), she declared, “The Congress party demands immediate steps to restore its original strength, independence, and inclusiveness.” Sharmila specifically alleged that the Modi administration has systematically chipped away at the RTI framework through amendments. These changes, she claims, have significantly limited public access to personal and political information and have compromised the crucial independence of Information Commissions.
Sharmila emphasized the profound importance of the RTI Act, calling it a “common citizen’s weapon of courage.” She highlighted its role as a beacon of transparency in governance and ranked it among the most significant laws enacted since India’s Constitution. “It empowered ordinary citizens and held the government accountable, representing a revolutionary stride for Indian democracy,” she asserted.
Further underscoring the Act’s current challenges, Ms. Sharmila pointed out that the Central Information Commission (CIC) is currently operating without a chief and is notably understaffed. This, she observed, contributes to the backlog of over four lakh pending RTI applications across the country as of 2024, signaling a constrained and struggling system.
To mark the RTI Act’s 20th anniversary, the Congress party has issued a clear set of demands:
* The immediate repeal of the controversial 2019 amendments.
* The restoration of a five-year fixed tenure for Information Commissioners.
* Reinstatement of full autonomy for these Commissions.
* Appointment of all 11 missing members to ensure full operational capacity.
* Strict enforcement of the Whistleblower Protection Act.
* Adequate representation of journalists, women, and academics within the Commissions to ensure diverse perspectives.