Government may amend RTI Act despite opposition

Despite opposition from parties and activists, the Centre is firm on the controversial move to amend Right to Information (RTI) Act.

It has advertised for the top job of Central Information Commissioner without specifying service terms or emoluments – which is in sync with the proposed amendments that Parliament is yet to pass. The department of personnel and training (DoPT) brought out an advertisement on Tuesday calling for applications for CIC as the incumbent R K Mathur is retiring on November 24.

However, the advertisement does not specify the terms of service. It reads, “the salary, allowances and other terms and conditions of services of the chief information commissioner shall be as may be specified at the time of appointment of the selected candidate.”


The advertisement does not conform to the present RTI Act that specifies the term of office as five years or till he attains 65 years of age or whichever is earlier. The Act also specifies the salary of the chief would be the same as CEC.

The advertisement, however, is in sync with the proposed amendments, which were circulated during the monsoon session of Parliament.