Question

Which one of the following offices was brought under Right to Information Act in 2019?
1. Chief Vigilance office
2.  Chief Justice of India 
3.  Attorney general of India
4. Comptroller and Auditor General of India

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 2 :  Chief Justice of India 

The correct answer is the Chief Justice of India.

• Chief Justice of India:
  • Supreme Court of India on 13 November 2019, upheld the decision of the Delhi High Court bringing the office of Chief Justice of India under the purview of the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

• About the RTI Act, 2005:
  • It sets out the rules and procedures regarding citizens’ right to information.
  • It replaced the former Freedom of Information Act, 2002.
  • This act was enacted in order to consolidate the fundamental right in the Indian constitution's freedom of speech.
  • Since RTI is implicit in the Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression under Article 19 of the Indian Constitution, it is an implied fundamental right.

• Key Provisions:
  • Section 4 of the RTI Act requires suo motu disclosure of information by each public authority.
  • Section 8 (1) mentions exemptions against furnishing information under RTI Act.
  • Section 8 (2) provides for disclosure of information exempted under Official Secrets Act, 1923 if larger public interest is served.