Whispers Forum

The Economic Survey 2025-26 authored by the chief economic advisor and tabled in Parliament on Jan 29,2026, has called for a re-examination of the RTI Act, 2005.A good initiative.
While acknowledging the sunshine law as a powerful democratic reform and a tool for accountability against corruption,the economic survey says the Act was never intended “as a tool for idle curiosity”, nor as a mechanism to micromanage the government from outside.
Going further, the Survey suggests exempting brainstorming notes, working papers, and draft comments until they form part of the final record of decision-making, protection of service records, transfers, and confidential staff reports. It recommends exploring a possible ministerial veto to withhold information and proposed shielding certain categories of public service records, including transfers and staff-related reports of bureaucrats, from public scrutiny.Fair enough.
But,the survey is silent as to when would the ministerial veto be applicable-- that is,before the Information Commission decides an appeal, or after the Commission has ordered disclosure? This needs to be addressed.
The utility of the RTI Act in exposing major scams ( the Vyapam,the Adarsh Housing Society scams etc) is not forgotten. This was also used to question the RBI during the banking scams. The Economic Survey has now initiated a debate on a review of existing provisions..
One hopes,the law makers keep the importance of RTI in view as governance enhancer in the new era of Artificial Intelligence.
A K Saxena (Former civil servant)

The appellant sought certified copy of compassionate appointment order, entire application process etc. of a third-party and the same was denied under section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act. The respondent submitted that the appellant was informed of the first appeal hearing scheduled on 25.04.2024 vide letter dated 16.04.2024 but, he did not come for the hearing and has wrongly alleged in the instant second appeal that they did not allow him to appear in first appeal. The CIC observed that the respondent gave an appropriate reply to the appellant and dismissed the appeal holding that no further intervention is required.
Comments
To make the RTI Act effective, both the appellant and the respondent should maintain transparency in their conduct.
Citation: D. K. Soni v. South Eastern Coalfields Limited, Second Appeal No. CIC/SECFL/A/2024/117153; Date of Decision:05.12.2025.
Dr Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is a RTI Consultant currently working with IIM Vishakhapatnam. She has co-authored the books PIO’s Guide to RTI and Right to Information – Law and Practice. Her weekly article is being published since 2008 on this site. She offers consultancy on RTI matters and third party audit to individuals / organisations. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation at the link https://www.rtifoundationofindia.com

I would like to raise an important issue for consideration of the Government. Chartered Accountants are recruited as Members of Income Tax Appellate Tribunal. In no other Tribunals are the CAs recruited. CAs are not eligible to apply for CESTAT, GSTAT, State Sales Tax Tribunals, NCLT, NCLAT, CAT, SAT, etc. CAs cannot be compared with the Advocates or senior focernment functioneries who are bound by the Conduct Rules. Unlike the Advocates, the practising CAs are not court officers so as to be professionally practising their profession as per conduct rules of the Government. Practising CAs after entering the Tribunal cannot be free from their previous client-service provider relationship not only professionally but in their mindset as well. The profession of CAs is meant for rendering their professional services of accounting, auditing, financial advisory etc., but not meant to render judgments against the Income Tax Department. The sooner it is realised the better it is for the country.
Murali Prakash
Proposal for merger of IRCON with RVNL
Swaping ratios should be equally calculated and implementations of projects and execution speed , accountability should be maintained so as to improve profitability and eps so as to gain investors confidence
Vikaskumar Gorhe

If a proper judgment is passed, it helps in the Rule of Law. The RTI Act should be allowed to assist the court of law to dispensing justice. In specific cases, with the permission of the court, the RTI application should be allowed to procure information as it helps in better and quicker delivery of a fair verdict.
Sharmista Banerjee
Much introspection and reforms needed in PSU.
A very much needed introspection and reforms to be undertaken in PSUs to eliminate squandering of public money . This introspection may be required in other areas of governance also.
K Srinivasa Rao

The Modi government will be remembered in history forever. It has given life of dignity to the poorest of the poor ensuring food security, housing, toilets and peace. It has ensured fast growth of infrastructure and the economy. India is on its way to become a developed country. It has strongly attacked corruption and black money. Law and order has improved dramatically. BIMARU states have started growing fast because of excellent law and order. It has finished naxal terror. It has given fitting reply to terrorists from across the border. It has removed Article 370. It has always acted on its agenda of sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka vishwas. No wonder the corrupt and the enemies of the country are so much against Modi sarkar.
Vijay Kumar

It has repeatedly been proved that the international law is nothing more than a myth. Briefly, the wisest had put it in writing long ago, “Samrath ko nahi dos Gusai”. It means the powerful can’t be blamed. The violence used for religion or proselytization produces dictators. It leads to wars or tyranny if it can survive. International law was created and used for the same purpose. Wasn’t the UNO dead decades ago? Only the weak speak passionately for international law. Law students spend more than 20% of the time on mastering this attractive topic. It can procrastinate conflicts but can never produce solutions. Wars and pestilence hit the mankind. History of the world for the last 100 years supports it. Those who neither anticipate nor change radically in time, fall! The Mahabharat presents the best lesson: Asvathama Hato, naro va kunjaro va. The change in India in the last one decade has brought about the most valuable change in Indian policy. The advocates of the dead policy are shouting hoarse. We are ready to face the challenge of the emerging neo colonialism. India stands as the only shining example of peace advocacy.
M L Gupta

The conflict has escalated significantly following the confirmed death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on February 28.
Current Status: President Trump stated the campaign may last "four weeks or less." Israel has launched a new wave of strikes on Tehran, while Iran has retaliated with missile strikes against Israeli cities and U.S. assets in the Gulf.
Regional Impact: Major disruptions are occurring in the Strait of Hormuz; shipping giant Maersk has suspended crossings. Protests have erupted in cities like Srinagar, and India is closely monitoring fuel supplies and the safety of citizens in the UAE and Dubai.
Casualties: Reports indicate over 550 deaths in Iran and three U.S. service members killed in Kuwait.
Prakrati Singh

Information needed for resolution of a legal dispute
Appellant sought information about Foreign Currency payment made in Indian Rupees to the amount of INR 70,000 around October 1978. The SBI informed that the information could not be retrieved being 40 years old. The appellant argued that the proof of the averred remittance to her father was crucial in the light of a property dispute pending disposal before court of law. The CIC held that the issue for consideration before it is grant of relief as per the RTI Act and does not extended to the resolution of legal disputes.
Comments
It has been argued before the CIC that information needed for dispensation of justice should be provided as the same is in public interest. It has also been contended that till the destruction memo is produced, the responsibility of maintaining the records rests with the public authority.
Citation: Rajinder Kaur Johal v. State Bank of India, Second Appeal No. CIC/SBIND/A/2024/122968; Date of Decision: 07.11.2025
Dr Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is a RTI Consultant currently working with IIM Vishakhapatnam. She has co-authored the books PIO’s Guide to RTI and Right to Information – Law and Practice. Her weekly article is being published since 2008 on this site. She offers consultancy on RTI matters and third party audit to individuals / organisations. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation at the link https://www.rtifoundationofindia.com

The NCERT,an autonomous organisation under union education ministry is the main school curriculum designing authority in India for children taking exams under the CBSE.Its textbooks receive scrutiny by lakhs of students across the country. Education boards in many states and private schools also use their course material. The unsavoury controversy has reignited a debate on Executive-Judiciary tussle. After objections were raised by members of the legal fraternity, the Supreme Court of India took suo motu cognizance of the matter and issued notices to top bureaucrats to explain why they should not be held in contempt of court for including the "offending chapter".
The moot point is :Why single out judiciary and ignore rampant corruption that prevails in other dectors of bureaucracy,the local bodies,educational,banking etc? Worse, why corrupt the young minds of class 8 by teaching them about corruption in judiciary?
The CJI’s anger is justified.He has rightly questioned how such content could be published without the judiciary’s “permission.”
NCERT’s statement expressing "regret" over what it called an "error in judgement" that had "inadvertently crept" into the chapter, is not convincing.Responsibility for serious lapse should be fixed after judiciary-monitored inquiry and heads must roll.The process of syllabus designing should be transparent involving stakeholders’ consultation.
A K Saxena (Former civil servant)