The Right to Information (RTI) Act has been a beacon of transparency and accountability in governance, empowering countless citizens to question, understand, and influence governmental proceedings. However, recent propositions in the Economic Survey suggest major changes to this pivotal act that could severely weaken its effectiveness.

I am deeply concerned about these changes, as they propose significant exemptions and modifications that might curtail the power of RTI. One of the major changes suggested is the confidentiality clause, which recommends exempting brainstorming notes, draft documents, and internal discussions within government departments from disclosure until a final decision is reached. While the intention may be to protect sensitive discussions, this exemption could be exploited to keep crucial deliberations out of public scrutiny, thus hindering transparency.

Furthermore, the proposal to exclude the transfer and personal service records of government officials from RTI purview is alarming. These records are often crucial in understanding decisions related to public postings, promotions, and even corruption allegations. Shielding them could create an environment of increased opacity, allowing potential misuse of power without accountability.

Another controversial proposal is the ministerial veto, which suggests granting ministers special authority to deny information requests. Such a veto not only undermines the spirit of impartial information access but also concentrates power, limiting the citizen's right to information.

We cannot allow these changes to pass without thorough public consultation and discussion. The RTI is a pillar of our democracy, and these amendments threaten to dismantle the progress we have made in promoting governmental transparency.

I urge you to sign this petition to prevent these proposed changes to the RTI Act, ensuring it remains a robust tool for accountability and transparency in governance. Your support is invaluable in sending a strong message that the right to information should not be compromised.