RTI

Right to Information Act is based on the analogy that transparency leads to greater accountability and that in turn should lead to good governance. As more and more citizens start demanding the information, a message goes to the public authorities and public institutions at large that their decisions, actions and inactions are subject to public [...] Full Article

The Government is not bound under the Right to Information law to divulge details about its Income Tax scrutiny policy, used to identify tax payees before subjecting them to detailed investigation. The Central Information Commission held this while accepting the Finance Ministry's view that revealing information related to the scrutiny guidelines would adversely affect economic interests of the country. Full Article

It comes into force on the 12th October, 2005 (120th day of its enactment on 15th June, 2005). Some provisions have come into force with immediate effect viz. obligations of public authorities [S.4 (1)], designation of Public Information Officers and Assistant Public Information Officers[S.5( 1) and 5(2)], constitution of Central Information Commission (S.12 and 13), constitution of State Information Commission (S.15 and 16), non-applicability of the Act to Intelligence .. Full Article

A mere allegation of corruption not backed by credible evidence would not be sufficient to direct the country's intelligence organisations to reveal information under the RTI Act, the Central Information Commission (CIC) has held. Full Article

Right to Information is a fundamental right - Income Tax Department to furnish information sought within two weeks - serious note taken of lackadaisical approach of Department in releasing information - Delhi High Court Full Article

The Central Information Commission (CIC) has held that citizens cannot question government policies and plans by utilising the Right to Information Act. The Commission noted this while dismissing an application filed by a Mumbai resident Amin Merchant who had sought information from Finance Ministry as to why certain tariff policy was framed by the Centre. Full Article

Has your income-tax return been picked up for scrutiny by the income-tax department? You may not get to know the reason. The department is against bringing scrutiny under the purview of the Right To Information (RTI) Act. This means an assessee will not have the right under the RTI Act to ascertain as why his case was selected for scrutiny by the department. Full Article