Prime Minister of India - Dr. Manmohan Singh

PM initiates change in RTI rules to enable disclosure of notings

The Prime Minister has instructed the Department of Personnel & Training to incorporate certain changes in the Rules under the Right to Information Act, 2005 in consultation with the Ministry of Justice. These changes pertain to disclosure of file notings under the Right to Information Act. After considering various representations made by concerned citizens and taking into account all relevant factors, it has been decided that substantive file notings on plans, schemes, programmes and projects of the Government that relate to development and social issues may be disclosed except those protected by the exemption clauses u/s 8(1) (a) to (j) of the Act. However, the Principal Information Officer appointed under RTI may withhold the individual identity of the functionary who has made the notings.

It has been decided, however, that file notings relating to identifiable individuals, group of individuals, organizations, appointments, matters relating to inquiries and departmental proceedings, shall not be disclosed.