rti act

The Central Information Commission (CIC) has directed the Reserve Bank of India to disclose an advisory note it issued to ICICI Bank for alleged violation of any RBI guidelines or for contravention of the provisions of money laundering and foreign exchange acts. The case relates to an RTI application filed by SS Vohra, who had sought to know details of such advisory notes issued by the apex bank to Patna and Hong Kong branches of ICICI Bank. Full Article

Government has vide notification No. G.S.R. 442(E) dated 09.06.2011 exempted CBI from thr purview of RTI Act, 2005. This has been done by inserting the CBI Name in Second Schedule of the RTI Act. The Second Schedule of the RTI Act exempts certain Public Authorities under the Central Government from disclosure of information under the RTI Act 2005. However, these Public Authorities have to respond to RTI Applications which pertain to subjects of Human Rights and Corrupt.. Full Article

The Income Tax Department has now decided to provide full details of tax returns of political parties under the RTI Act after the Central Information Commission (CIC) issued it directives in this regard. The department, according to sources, used to restrict such information, citing section 138 of the Income Tax Act, which allowed denial of such information under RTI Act as 'disclosure of information respecting assessees.' Full Article

Against the backdrop of agitations demanding more openness and accountability in government functioning, defence minister AK Antony on Wednesday said the country is going through a 'transparency revolution' which can't be stopped 'midway'. 'Country is passing through a new era revolution -- the transparency revolution. The walls of secrecy are crumbling in every field gradually including politics, business, administration and judiciary. Once the trend has started, you ca.. Full Article

The Income Tax returns of individuals do not enjoy "absolute ban" from disclosure, the Central Information Commission has held while directing the Income Tax department to provide details of the total income of a person to his son-in-law who is facing a dowry case. Full Article

The department filed an appeal in the High Court and claimed that as the Tribunal’s order was received on a particular date, the appeal was on time. However, the assessee obtained information from the Tribunal under the Right to Information Act and pointed out that the order was served on an earlier date and that the appeal was belated. HELD taking a serious view of the matter and summoning the Revenue Secretary and Chairman CBDT. Full Article

Sixty-three years after Independence, Calcutta High Court, or at least its Public Information Officer (PIO), apparently feels that it is not under the control of the President of India or the government of India, since it has been set up under Letter Full Article

The fifth Annual Convention on RTI concluded here today. The two days convention was attended by all stakeholders of the RTI Act, including the State Information Commissions, media and civil society organizations. Union Minister of State for IT & Telecom Sachin Pilot delivered the valedictory address. In his speech, he said that RTI in India is hailed all over the world for its role in truly empowering the common man and strengthening democracy. He felt that several issu.. Full Article