As the Right to Information Act (RTI) celebrated the sixth year of its coming, there has been much heated discussion, often emotional, of the benefits that it has brought and also the challenges with which it has confronted government. This debate came to a head with the prime minister’s inaugural address to the Annual Convention of the Central Information Commission on October 14. It is accepted in all circles that the...

Why is it that the Anna Hazare-led movement against corruption does not seek to have the Lokpal cover NGOs, corporate houses and the corporate media? Gautam Navlakha (gnavlakha@gmail.com) is a member of the People’s Union for Democratic Rights, Delhi.   It would be churlish to dismiss “Team Anna’s” mass mobilisation which is an assertion of our collective right to protest. This is especially so in view of the fact that after having waited...

India on Saturday managed to get backing of the world’s 19 most powerful economies on the issue of sharing tax information, as the G20’s draft communiqué for the first time took note of New Delhi's concerns. The draft, however, remained silent on recovery of ill-gotten wealth stashed in tax havens. The draft communiqué, to be issued by G20 finance ministers and central bank governors later on Saturday, has resolved to address...

-The Economic Times   Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has called for a review of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, one of the UPA's trophy legislations, potentially exposing the government to a fresh stand-off with civil society. Addressing a two-day annual convention of the Central Information Commission here, Singh said the transparency law should not adversely affect deliberative processes in the government and discourage honest, well-meaning public servants from voicing their views. He...

The Centre is preparing to water down the Official Secrets Act, 1923, a pre-colonial tool against spying that successive governments are accused of taking cover under when faced with questions of corruption. Amendments are being worked out after several ministries, including that of defence, responded to a note circulated by the home ministry in August, sources said. The Prime Minister today said the RTI Act is being “more extensively and effectively” used...