RTI act amendmends Withdrawn

Under immense pressure from around the country, the Government has agreed to withdraw the amendments to the Right to Information Act. Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Suresh Pachauri said that following a decision taken by PM Manmohan Singh, the amendment bill was not likely to be introduced in the current session of Parliament, which concludes on August 25.He said that there have been considerable apprehensions about the proposed changes and clarifications in the RTI Act. Congress President Sonia Gandhi and the PM have received several representations in this regard, and it has been decided that the issue should be first discussed with all stakeholders, he said. Left parties, who provide crucial support to the UPA led government, were also opposed to the amendments.This means that the government has also decided to drop file notings exemption, and that file notings can be accessed.However, activist Anna Hazare, who is on the 11th day of his indefinite hunger strike, is not convinced. He says that he wants a written confirmation from the government on the withdrawal of RTI amendments.