THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION OF RTI ACT, 2005 WILL PROVIDE THE RIGHT OF INFORMATION RECOGNISED UNDER ARTICLE 19 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, AS SUCH EFFECTIVE FRAME WORK FOR APPEAL AND PENAL PROVISIONS AGAINST THE DECISION OF (PIO) SUGGESTED UNDER SECTION 20 .

The Government of India resolved that in order to ensure greater and more effective access to information, it is required that the freedom of information Act, 2002 must be made more progressive, participatory and meaningful. On this issue National Advisory Council suggested certain important changes to be incorporated in the said Act to assure greater and smoother access to information. After examining the suggestions of the National advisory Council and the others the Government decided to make number of changes in the law. In view of the significant changes proposed by the National advisory Council and others, it was decided to repeal the freedom of information Act 2002 and enact another law for providing an effective frame work for effectuating the right to information recognised under Article 19 of the Constitution of India. To achieve this object, the Right to information Bill was introduced in the Parliament accordingly. The important changes proposed to be incorporated inter alia, include establishment of an appellate machinery with investigating powers to review decisions of the public information officers ;penal provisions for failure to provide information as per the law ;provisions to ensure maximum disclosure and minimum exemptions, consistent with the constitutional provisions, and effective mechanism for access to information and disclosure by authorities, etc. In view of significant changes proposed in the existing Act, the Government also decided to repeal the Freedom of information Act, 2002 . The proposed legislation will provide an effective frame work for effectuating the right of information recognised under Article-19 of the Constitution of India. The Bill seeks to achieve the above objects . ACT 22 OF 2095 :-- The right to information Bill having been passed by both the Houses of Parliament received the assent of the President of India on 15th june, 20O5 . It came on the Statute Book as THE RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT, 20O5 (22 of2005) (Sub-section (1) of section 4,sub-section(1) and (2) of section 5,section 12,13,15,16 , 24,27and 28 came into force on 15-6-2005 and the remaining provisions came into force on 12-10-2005).