Context:
Central government has added the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) to a list of organisations that are exempted from the ambit of the Right to Information Act (RTI), 2005.
About RTI Act:
- Sets out the principles and techniques in regards to citizens’ right to information.
- Replaced Freedom of Information Act, 2002.
- Objective – To empower the citizens, promote transparency and accountability in the working of the Government, contain corruption, and make our democracy work for the people in real sense.
- Key Provisions –
- Section 4 – requires suo motu disclosure of information by each public authority. However, such disclosures have remained less than satisfactory.
- Section 8 (1) – exemptions against furnishing information under RTI Act.
- Section 8 (2) – disclosure of information exempted under Official Secrets Act, 1923 if larger public interest is served.
- Time period –
- Normal information – supplied in 30 days
- Information regarding life/liberty – supplied within 48 hours.
Second Schedule of RTI Act: The Actshall not apply to the intelligence and security organisations specified in the Second Schedule, “provided that the information pertaining to the allegations of corruption and human rights violations shall not be excluded.”
Must Read: RTI and Information Commissions | CERT-IN
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: In India, prisons are managed by State Governments with their own rules and regulations for the day-to-day administration of prisons.
Statement-II: In India, prisons are governed by the Prisons Act, 1894 which expressly kept the subject of prisons in the control of Provincial Governments.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2023 Prelims]
(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
(c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
(d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Answer: (a)
