Exempt CBI from RTI Act, recommends Secys’ panel

Despite objections and words of caution from some members, the Committee of Secretaries (CoS) headed by Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar yesterday cleared the controversial request by the CBI that it should be exempt from providing information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
The CoS also approved an earlier reccommendation to keep the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) outside the purview of the RTI Act.
During a detailed discussion on the CBI’s request, a minority of members expressed the opinion that acceeding could be viewed as a government move to reduce transparency, sources said. There was a feeling that questions would be asked about the timing of the move — when the CBI is occupied with several politically sensitive cases, including the 2G scam, a CoS member told The Sunday Express.