Mamata Banerjee slams amendment to RTI Act, says it 'hurts federalism'

Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, on Saturday said that the manner in which important bills were passed in the Parliament has hurt federalism in the country. The statement was made in reference to the Right to Information Act (Amendment) Bill, 2019. Mamata Banerjee expressed her party's view on Twitter.

Read | Bengal BJP: Campaign against TMC misrule, promise of NRC paid off

About Right To Information (Amendment) Bill, 2019

The RTI (Amendment) Bill, 2019, was passed by the Lok Sabha in July this year. According to reports, the bill allows the Centre to prescribe the term of office, salaries, allowances and other terms and conditions of service of chief information commissioner and the information commissioners. Earlier, under the RTI Act, 2005, the term of the office of the chief information commissioner and the information commissioners was fixed at five years. However, the new amendment act suggests that the government will not notify the term of the office at any period of time. Several activists have criticised the bill saying that it will affect the independence and neutrality. 

Read | BJP heads most panels in the Parliament, outnumbering the Opposition

About International Day for the Universal Access to Information

The United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) General Conference has recognised September 28 as the International Day for the Universal Access to Information or the Access to Information Day. According to reports, this is the fourth year to mark September 28 as the Access to Information Day. Further reports stated that the theme for this year has been set as 'Leaving No One Behind'. The Right to Information includes accessing information on all levels- local, national and international. The bill promotes the idea that every individual has the right to seek information, stated reports.

Read | BJP's JP Nadda questions Mamata's governance, says her time is over

Read | Mamata Banerjee wishes Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina on her birthday

(With PTI inputs)