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The Right to Information Bill, 2004, introduced in the Lok Sabha on the 23rd December, 2004 and pending therein, has been referred to Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice, headed by Shri E.M. Sudarsana Natchiappan, M.P., for examination and report.
The Bill seeks to provide a framework for effectuating the right to information, recognised under Article 19 of the Constitution of India, by a number of changes in the Freedom of Information Act, 2002, to make it more progressive, participatory and meaningful to ensure smoother, greater and more effective access to information.
The important changes proposed, inter alia, include establishment of an appellate machinery, with investigating powers, to review decisions of the Public Information Officers; penal provisions for failure to provide information as per law; provisions to ensure maximum disclosure and minimum exemptions, consistent with the constitutional provisions, and effective mechanism for access to information and disclosure by authorities.
The Committee has decided to invite memoranda containing views of individuals/organisations, interested in the subject matter of the Bill and to hear oral evidence on the subject.
Those desirous of submitting memoranda to the Committee may send two copies (either in English or Hindi) thereof to Shri Surinder Kumar Watts, Deputy Secretary, Rajya Sabha Secretariat, 007, Ground Floor, Parliament House Annexe, New Delhi – 110001 (Tel: 23034262 and Fax: 23013917) within fifteen days of publication of this advertisement, indicating whether they would also be interested in giving oral evidence before the Committee.
The memorandum which might be submitted to the Committee, would form part of the records of the Committee and would be treated as confidential and would not be circulated to anyone, as such an act would constitute a breach of privilege of the Committee.
The Bill was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 2, dated the 23rd December, 2004. Its copies can be had on written request to the above-mentioned officer.
New Delhi, Magha 14, 1926; February 3, 2005
Rajya Sabha Secretariat
HRK/SK
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