Trending news: Armed Forces RTI News: Why is the army asking the government to close this last 'window'? - Hindustan News Hub

Trending news: Armed Forces RTI News: Why is the army asking the government to close this last 'window'? - Hindustan News Hub

Trending news: Armed Forces RTI News: Why is the army asking the government to close this last 'window'? - Hindustan News Hub





New Delhi: The security forces have once again made a big demand from the government.

However, the central government has not yet taken any decision on the demand of the security forces. On the other hand, the Ministry of Defense is also in support of this demand. In fact, the security forces have again reiterated the demand to separate themselves from the purview of the Right to Information Act.

This was demanded in a high level meeting on 28 April. In the meeting of the Committee of Secretaries held a few days before the retirement of former Army Chief General MS Naravane, many cases of misuse of RTI by the security forces have been put to the fore. It is believed that many cases of intelligence gathering through RTI were put forward in this meeting. However, many other ministries did not seem to agree with this demand of the security forces. Law Ministry argued

The Law Ministry said that the security forces are not intelligence agencies and in such a situation it cannot be given this exemption. It was advised in the meeting that instead of giving exemption in this, the information should be investigated and passed on on priority basis. The Department of Personnel and Training said that there are a large number of personnel in the armed forces. The grievances of the jawans are redressed through RTI. Around 40,000 complaints are registered every year. In such a situation, if RTI is removed completely, then it will affect transparency.

Information Commission’s argument on the demand of armed forces

It is being told that the Central Information Commission has also not shown a positive attitude towards this demand of the armed forces. The armed forces had argued that information about military bases and agencies was sought through several RTIs. It can be used for intelligence.

Our associate newspaper Economic Times had reported on 9 July 2021 itself that the Department of Military Affairs had made a proposal through the then CDS General Bipin Rawat, keeping the national interest in mind. There was a demand to include the forces in the second schedule of the RTI Act 2005. Significantly, in the second schedule, 26 intelligence and security organizations have been kept out of the RTI Act due to security reasons. Organizations excluded include intelligence agency RAW (RAW), Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Directorate of Enforcement, Narcotics Control Bureau, BSF, CRPF, ITBP, NSG, SPG, Secretariat of National Security Council, NTRO and CBI.

Significantly, the central government has the power to make changes in the second schedule of RTI. From time to time organizations are added or reduced. Ever since the RTI Act was enacted, there has been a demand to keep the armed forces out of this law.

Big things on RTI Act

The Central Government can change the second schedule of the RTI Act from time to time. In this the names of new organizations can be added or subtracted.

Before adding any organization in the second schedule of RTI, it is placed in the Parliament or the Legislative Assembly of the states.

There was a lot of opposition when the CBI was excluded from the purview of RTI in 2011. It was even challenged in court.

Ever since the enactment of the RTI Act, there has been a demand to free the armed forces from its purview.

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