Cabinet move aimed at providing more teeth to Info. Act: PMO

New Delhi, July 26 (UNI) Allaying apprehensions that the recent Cabinet decision to amend the Right to Information Act was aimed at diluting the provisions of the law, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) today clarified it would rather facilitate disclosure of more file notings.

Acknowledging the ''sharp criticism'' from some sections of the press and civil society groups, particularly with respect to the issue of ''file notings,'' the PMO said this was ''largely misplaced as it is based on an incomplete knowledge of facts.'' Providing an explanation, it said the RTI Act at present did not include any provision for full disclosure of ''file notings'' by officials, despite a view expressed against such disclosure by various experts and officials, the UPA Government has remained committed to the principles of greater transparency and accountability in the public decision-making process.

''In view of this firm belief, the Union Cabinet has in fact approved last week an amendment to section 2 (i) (a) of the Act that specifically provides that file notings of all plans, schemes and programmes of the Government that relate to development and social issues shall be disclosed.'' The disclosure of file notings on the most important and vast bulk of Government activities had now become possible for the first time.

''It is thus not a case of retrogression. This is a positive step forward. It may be clarified that only a small portion of file notings now remain exempted from disclosure. This is related to subjects that are already exempted under sub-Section (1) of Section 8 of the Act and to personnel-related matters like examination, assessment and evaluation for recruitment, disciplinary proceedings, etc.'' The amendments recently approved by the Union Cabinet would increase the scope, role and responsibility of the Central and State Information Commissions which are independent authorities.

So far, under the existing Right to Information Act, the main role of the Central and State Information Commissions has been to hear appeals. The amendments now approved will help to enhance the autonomy and authority of the Commissions.

These amendments include powers of the Commissions to take all necessary measures to promote the use of electronic record keeping and to facilitate effective disclosure of information as well as information management.

The move would also empower the commissions to make recommendations regarding effective implementation and monitoring mechanisms to be developed and deployed, besides making suggestions for development of guidelines, minimum requirements, proactive disclosure of information, methods of publication, etc.

''It is thus clear that the implementation of the amendments approved by the Union Cabinet will make the Right to Information Act a more powerful tool for more transparent and just governance where the public will have increased access to information relating to not only the decisions taken but also how and why they are taken.'' UNI SN MQA RAI1821