Hyderabad: TPCC president and MLC B Mahesh Kumar Goud marked the RTI Act anniversary on Sunday by defending its legacy and accusing the BJP-led Centre of systematically weakening the landmark law passed during the UPA era.
Speaking at a press conference, Goud noted that the Right to Information Act came into force on October 12, 2005, under the leadership of then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi. He described it as a transformative law that empowered ordinary citizens, particularly the poor people and marginalised, to access government information and secure their rights—including pensions, scholarships, and ration benefits.
Goud also credited the UPA government with passing other landmark laws such as the Forest Rights Act (2006), Right to Education Act (2009), Food Security Act (2013), and Land Acquisition Act (2013). He stated that RTI introduced transparency and accountability in governance by making public records accessible.
RTI Act anniversary sparks demand to repeal 2019 amendments
However, the TPCC chief accused the BJP government of undermining the RTI framework through the 2019 amendments. These changes, he said, stripped Information Commissions of their autonomy by allowing the Centre to set tenures and service conditions. “There is no greater damage than having only two commissioners at the Central Information Commission when 11 posts exist,” he said, warning that even the Chief Commissioner post will fall vacant in 2025.
He cited the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, as further eroding public access by expanding exemptions under RTI Section 8(1)(j), making it harder to access details like electoral rolls and government spending. “These amendments hide public-interest information behind legal shields,” he said.
Goud also referenced the 2011 murder of activist Shehla Masood and criticised the Centre for failing to implement the Whistleblowers Protection Act despite Parliament passing it in 2014. “RTI users and whistleblowers face increasing attacks without any legal safeguard,” he said.
The Congress demanded the rollback of the 2019 RTI amendments, full staffing of central and state commissions, and inclusion of journalists, activists, and women in the panels. It also urged mandatory performance reviews and public reports.
Calling RTI a pillar of Indian democracy, Goud said, “To weaken this Act is to erode citizens’ rights.” He pledged the party’s commitment to defending it under the slogan: “Every citizen has the right to question, and the right to an answer.”
MP Anil Kumar Yadav and party general secretaries Allam Bhaskar, Madhu Satyam Goud, and Komraiah attended the event.