Congress mulling changes in RTI Act

To amplify the exclusion of political parties from the ambit of the RTI Act, the Congress is mulling the option of amending the flagship law.

To amplify the exclusion of political parties from the ambit of the RTI Act, the Congress is mulling the option of amending the flagship law.

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Publicly, the Congress said the top leadership will decide on the future course of action in the wake of the Central Information Commission (CIC)’s ruling that political parties are covered under the Act. If the government brings amendment, it would be the first change in the law.

But privately, Congress leaders hinted that the government may go for an amendment to make it clear that the law doesn’t cover the political parties.

The Congress has opposed the CIC’s verdict saying it was an “adventurist” approach. The CPM, JD(U) and NCP too have expressed apprehension that the CIC’s order may harm democratic institutions.

Congress spokesperson Sandeep Dikshit said the CIC ruling was “fundamentally” wrong as political parties are accountable to the election commission.

The CIC verdict on Monday said these national political parties were substantially financed by the Centre, and the role played by the parties also pointed towards their public character, bringing them under the RTI Act.