The former Chief Justice of India, K.G. Balakrishnan, who is currently the chairman of the National Human Rights Commission has objected to disclosing his income in the past five years as sought by an applicant under the Right to Information Act. Following his objection, the Income Tax Department has rejected the application made by T. Balachandran of Kochi. Dr. Balachandran had sought from the department certified copies of the income returns...

At least 10 RTI applicants have been killed over the past two years, with many others facing threats in their bid to expose corruption On a Republic Day when India celebrated 61 years of justice, equality and liberty, Amar Nath Pandey says he encountered the darkest moment of his life. In late evening on 26 January, a lone assailant leaped from the folds of darkness in the street outside his house in...

And you thought you could get information from the State using the RTI Act? Take your place in the line behind thousands of frustrated citizens The government is considering changes to the Right To Information Act (RTI) that activists feel could dilute the power of the Act. Former Chief Justice of India K.G. Balakrishnan has recommended protecting the judiciary from RTI queries apparently on grounds that the move would “erode” the...

The second phase of Census 2011 began today with enumerators seeking information about the first citizen of the country, President Pratibha Patil. The decadal exercise, which will cover the entire country, began by collecting information on a "number of characteristics about the President's personal household" by enumerator Rita, a Rashtrapati Bhavan spokesperson said. The exercise took place in the presence of Home Minister P Chidambaram, Minister of state for Home Affairs Gurudas...

Even though five years have passed since the Right to Information Act came into existence, the Maharashtra government is yet to frame procedure rules for applicants to file appeals. s under this Act. Maharashtra is the only state in the country that is yet to draft the appeal procedure rules, which are supposed to prescribe the process of filing a query, including the submission of documents and the hearing for...