Q.3) Discuss the recent amendments made to RTI Act? Over the last 14 years, how far has the RTI Act served the purposes for which it was introduced?

Right to information is important pillar in any democracy . RTI is part of right to expression and speech according to supreme court judgement . we need healthy democracy people to people contacts are important .

* purpose of RTI act 

>to make executive accountable and ensure transparency of schames and policies 

>empowers the citizens , promote transparency and accountablity in the working of the government

            recenty parliment apporoved rti ammendment bill 2019.lets see recent changes in prevous provisions

1 term

 in 2005 act:  the chief information commisionar and information commisnors will holds office for a term 5 years ( center lavel )

2019: the bill removes this provison and states that central government will notify the terms of office of CIC AND ICs

2.salary:

2005—-the salary of the CIC and ICs (at the center level) will be equivalent to the the salary paid to the chief election commissioners, respectively

similarly the salary of ICs and CICs at state level will be equivilant to the salary paid to the election commissioners and chief secreatry to the state government , repectively 

2019—-the bill removes this provision and states that sallaries , allowences and other terms and conditions of the central and state CIC and CIs will be determined by central government  

3. deduction in salary

2005: the act states that at the time of the appointment of the CIC and ICs (at central and state level ), if they are reciving pension or any other retirement benefits for previous government service, their salaries will be reduced by an amount equal to the pension.

2019 — the bill removes this provisions 

* last 14 years of RTI

>RTI played very importance role during last 14 years, many scams exposed by activits ex. 2G, coal scam etc

>this increased transparency in government policies , people empowered to ask any information related with government policies 

>provided acess enabling assistance sensorily disables 

       thus we can say RTI is successful act , recent amendments will impact its transparency .