GOI’s Draft RTI Rules- CHRI invites comments on its suggestions for change
The Dept. of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Government of India has extended the deadline for making submissions on the Draft RTI Rules, 2017 to 25th April, 2017. This gives us ample opportunity for submitting comments not only on the Draft Rules but also for suggesting Rules for implementing aspects of the law that are not covered in the existing Rules.
Malawi becomes 23rd country to enact an RTI law in the Commonwealth
President Peter Mutharika has given his assent to the Access to Information Bill that Malawi's Parliament approved in December 2016. Malawi becomes the 23rd country in the Commonwealth to enact a national level law guaranteeing access to information to its people. CHRI provided technical advice to stakeholders in Malawi for strengthening the Bill based on international best practices.
DeMon to ReMon - Govt claims exercise, successul, without revealing details under RTI
By Venkatesh Nayak The demonetisation of currency notes of Rs. 1,000 and Rs. 500 denomination that the Government announced on 08 November, 2016 and the subsequent remonetisation of the economy has affected almost every person living in India.
Sri Lanka RTI Rules and Regulations
The RTI Act has come into force in Sri Lanka with the publication of the Rules and Regulations in the Government Gazette of Sri Lanka on 03/02/16. People can now make requests under the RTI Act.
Woe and confusion in the final days of demonetisation: A CHRI commentary
By Venkatesh Nayak Yesterday the print and electronic media highlighted the plight of a young woman who approached the New Delhi office of the Reserve Bank of India to change some demonetised currency notes that she had. Apparently the security personnel did not even allow her to enter the RBI office premises.
A CHRI enquiry shows: The Reserve Bank rejects access to demonetisation records; The Department of Economic Affairs keeps mum
By Venkatesh Nayak A recent media report quotes the Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), Government of India, saying, there was no need to go into the process of decision making regarding the 8th November demonetisation drive.
A worldwide petition asks UNESCO to engage stakeholders in developing the agency’s RTI policy: CHRI is a signatory
Eighty-one Non Governmental Organisations, Civil Society Organisations and individuals across the Americas, Asia and Europe signed a petition asking the United Nations Scientific, Educational and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to engage stakeholders while formulating its Access to Information policy.
CHRI presents preliminary findings on the government’s efforts to fight corruption
How effective are the government’s efforts to combat corruption in India? According to the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) figures for 2015 released by Transparency International, India ranks 76th with a score of 38 out of 168 countries surveyed for people’s perceptions about corruption.
Pellet Guns in J&K: Queries on manufacture, sale, efficacy, not in public interest says government: A CHRI report
By Venkatesh Nayak Readers will remember my despatch from September this year, describing my efforts to find out details about the sale and the efficacy of anti-riot weapons- particularly pellet guns which have caused severe injuries to hundreds of youth in various parts of Jammu and Kashmir.
A CHRI Examination: Demonitisation 1978 vs 2016
By Venkatesh Nayak Readers will remember, on 8th November, 2016, the Government of India announced its decision to pull high value currency notes of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000 denomination out of circulation, with immediate effect.