describe the process lead to the passing of The Right to Information Act by the parliament
Answers
Answer:
The Right to Information Act empowers all Indian Citizens to seek information from public authorities, which includes central, state and local governments, Parliament, judiciary, police etc. Under RTI, a citizen can ask question, seek information, take copies of official documents, inspect government work and its progress.
History of RTI:
1. The RTI bill before it was introduced in the Parliament, was the brainchild of the National campaign for people's right to information comprising of social activists, prominent members of the civil society, who wanted a national law ensuring greater transparency in the system.
2. The initial draft was prepared by them in 1996 and was sent to the government for approval and the bill was finally introduced in the Parliament in the year 2002.
3. The bill at that time required some amendments and was sent to national advisory council, which came with its suggestions of strengthening provisions of the bill.
4. The bill then was introduced in 2004 and was passed in the year 2005.
It had to undergo the following process:
A bill represents an introduction of a new legislation or changes in the existing one. The following are the stages through which a Bill becomes a Law.
a. Introduction of the Bill- A bill was introduced by the member of Parliament in the either house of the Parliament and a copy of it is circulated to all the members of the House.
b. Discussion of the Bill- After the copy was circulated, the bill was discussed and deliberated.
c. Committee stage- At this stage bill was referred to the select committee, which went through the bill in detail and prepares a detailed report to be discussed in the house again. m (Generally, bills which are highly technical in nature or require some expert advise are referred to the committee which prepares a report). The committee comprises of the members of the House. RTI bill was referred to the standing committee and group of ministers.
d. Discussion Stage- At this stage committee report was discussed in the house and changes were incorporated . There was a clause by clause discussion of the Bill, at this stage amendments or changes to the bill were also moved.
e. Voting Stage- At this stage bill was voted upon and it got the required majorityto be passed passed and went o the next house that followed the same procedure. Ordinary bills require simple majority of both the houses whereas Constitutional amendment bills require 2/3rd majority. RTI was passed with over hundred amendments.
f. Presidential Assent- After the bill was passed by both the houses of the Parliament it went to the President for his assent and then it became a law.
g. The RTI Act finally came into effect all over India, from 13 October 2005.