Govt to bring ordinance to keep political parties out of RTI

The government is likely to prepare an ordinance soon to keep political parties out of the ambit of the Right to Information Act, say sources. Sources say the government will consult other political parties on the ordinance soon.

The Chief Information Commissioner had in June ruled that all political parties come under the ambit of the RTI Act. The ruling provides for greater transparency in the working of the political parties as now the public has the right to get information about their functioning and funding.

The ruling, however, didn't come well with the political parties themselves. Minister for Information and Broadcasting Manish Tewari had dismissed the CIC's suggestion saying an amendment to the Income Tax Act would work better towards bringing transparency.

The Congress had opposed the order. "Congress party is opposed to the decision taken by CIC. Political parties are not government bodies," party leader Janardhan Dwivedi had said.

The Janata Dal United and the Communist Party of India - Marxist had also slammed the decision saying the CIC exceeded its brief. "The CIC has acted outside its jurisdiction. The government should step in. CIC doesn't understand the politics of this country," JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav had said.

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