Right to Information (RTI) Act
The Right to Information Act provides the citizens of this country power to question any government officer for his acts. The RTI helps you hold responsible the erring civil servants and bring about transperancy in the government functioning.
What is not open to disclosure?
The
following
is
exempt
from
disclosure
-
-
information,
disclosure
of
which
would
prejudicially
affect
the
sovereignty
and
integrity
of
India,
the
security,
strategic,
scientific
or
economic
interests
of
the
State,
relation
with
foreign
State
or
lead
to
incitement
of
an
offence
-
information
which
has
been
expressly
forbidden
to
be
published
by
any
court
of
law
or
tribunal
or
the
disclosure
of
which
may
constitute
contempt
of
court;
-
information,
the
disclosure
of
which
would
cause
a
breach
of
privilege
of
Parliament
or
the
State
Legislature;
-
information
including
commercial
confidence,
trade
secrets
or
intellectual
property,
the
disclosure
of
which
would
harm
the
competitive
position
of
a
third
party,
unless
the
competent
authority
is
satisfied
that
larger
public
interest
warrants
the
disclosure
of
such
information;
-
information
available
to
a
person
in
his
fiduciary
relationship,
unless
the
competent
authority
is
satisfied
that
the
larger
public
interest
warrants
the
disclosure
of
such
information;
-
information
received
in
confidence
from
foreign
Government;
-
information,
the
disclosure
of
which
would
endanger
the
life
or
physical
safety
of
any
person
or
identify
the
source
of
information
or
assistance
given
in
confidence
for
law
enforcement
or
security
purposes;
-
information
which
would
impede
the
process
of
investigation
or
apprehension
or
prosecution
of
offenders;
-
cabinet
papers
including
records
of
deliberations
of
the
Council
of
Ministers,
Secretaries
and
other
officers;
-
information
which
relates
to
personal
information
the
disclosure
of
which
has
no
relationship
to
any
public
activity
or
interest,
or
which
would
cause
unwarranted
invasion
of
the
privacy
of
the
individual;
Notwithstanding any of the exemptions listed above, a public authority may allow access to information, if public interest in disclosure outweighs the harm to the protected interests.
Who is excluded?
Central Intelligence and Security agencies specified in the Second Schedule, Special Service Bureau, Special Branch, Andaman and Nicobar, The Crime Branch, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Special Branch, Lakshadweep Police. Agencies specified by the State Governments through a Notification will also be excluded.
The exclusion, however, is not absolute and these organizations have an obligation to provide information pertaining to allegations of corruption and human rights violations.
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