PM-led panel to meet on Dec 10 to select Chief Information Commissioner: Centre to SC.

The Hindu: New Delhi: Tuesday, December 02, 2025.

Seeking an expeditious selection of information commissioners in the CIC, the court had told the Centre that these posts need to be filled at the earliest.

The Centre on Monday (December 1, 2025) informed the Supreme Court that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led panel is likely to meet on December 10 to select and recommend names for the post of Chief Information Commissioner and information commissioners of the Central Information Commission (CIC).

A Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, which was hearing a plea seeking filling of vacant posts of CIC and state information commissions (SICs), was told by Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj, appearing for the Centre, that the meeting has been fixed and notice for it has been sent to the members of the panel.

Under Section 12 (3) of the Right to Information Act, the Prime Minister is the chairperson of the committee, which also comprises the leader of Opposition and a Union Minister nominated by the Prime Minister, that selects and recommends the names for appointment as Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners.

The top court recorded the submission of the ASG and deferred the hearing on the plea.

It asked the chief secretaries of all the states to submit details of the total strength of SICs, vacant posts in SICs and number of appeals and complaints pending before the commissions.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for petitioners including Anjali Bhardwaj and others, said that the government has not filled the vacant posts, which is resulting in piling of cases before the commissions.

He said that some States have made two to three appointments and are saying they don’t need to fill all the posts as they have sufficient strength of members to deal with the pendency of cases.

Mr. Bhushan said there are at least seven comprehensive orders of the court in which it had directed the Centre to expeditiously fill up the vacancies in the CIC and SICs.

On November 27, the top court deferred the matter after it was informed by Nataraj that the selection committee was scheduled to meet on October 28, 2025, but the meeting could not take place due to other engagements of the members.

The top court had asked Nataraj to speak to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) secretary and apprise it of the total vacancies, observing that "we have no reason to doubt that the Competent Authority will take the necessary initiative to fill the available vacancies".

It had noted that states like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Karnataka have broadly filled all vacancies and their Information Commissions are working at full capacity, while in Chhattisgarh, the vacancies will be filled in six weeks.

On October 27, the top court refused to issue a directive for public disclosure of the names of candidates shortlisted for the post of chief information commissioner and information commissioners in the CIC.

It had directed the states, including Jharkhand and Himachal Pradesh, to immediately try to fill the vacant posts in the state information commissions.

Backlog of cases

Mr. Bhushan had alleged that governments were "trying to kill the Right to Information Act" by making information commissions defunct.

He had submitted that the CIC is currently without its chief, and eight out of 10 posts of information commissioners are vacant.

"The backlog of cases in the CIC is nearly 30,000," he had submitted, and pointed out the violation of earlier orders of the apex court, where it was directed that all vacant posts should be filled up directly.

On January 7, the top court took a dim view of the vacancies in the CIC and state information commissions as it directed the Centre to immediately fill the posts.

Seeking an expeditious selection of information commissioners in the CIC, the apex court had told the Centre that these posts need to be filled at the earliest.

It had criticised the appointments being made only from a particular category of candidates in the CIC and SICs, and mulled taking a judicial note of the fact that only bureaucrats are considered for the appointment in these commissions instead of people from all walks of life.

Delayed selection process

Activist Bhardwaj and others have submitted that in 2019, the apex court issued seminal directions for filling the posts in the CIC and SICs, but states delayed the selection process and virtually killed the Right to Information Act.

On November 26, 2024, the top court took a stern view on the matter and asked the Centre and states to apprise it of the steps taken to fill the posts.

Since February 2019, the apex court has passed several directions on the need for timely appointments to the transparency watchdog by the Centre and states. It observed that in Jharkhand, Tripura and Telangana, the SICs had become virtually defunct, as there were no information commissioners.

On October 30, 2023, the top court issued a similar directive, noting the 2005 Right to Information law would become a "dead letter" otherwise. Ms. Bhardwaj's plea said the Centre and states did not follow the apex court's 2019 judgement on the issues, including timely filling posts in CIC and SICs.

The top court in December 2019 directed the Centre and state governments to appoint information commissioners in CIC and SICs within three months and asked authorities concerned to publish the names of members of the committee on the selection panel and appointment of information commissioners at the CIC on their websites.

The apex court said information officers should include people of eminence from varied fields

Forest dept slapped notice for denying RTI on Project Cheetah.

Times of India: P. Naveen: Bhopal: Tuesday, November 02, 2025.

The Madhya Pradesh State Information Commission has issued a show-cause notice to the state's chief wildlife warden after the forest department denied RTI information on Project Cheetah by invoking national security and even India's sovereignty and integrity. Chief Information Commissioner Vijay Yadav has directed Shubharanjan Sen, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF– Wildlife), to appear before the Commission on December 12 to explain why the data was withheld. 

The notice also warns of a possible statutory fine and departmental inquiry. The controversy began when wildlife and RTI activist Ajay Dubey sought information in July 2024 regarding cheetah management, including correspondence related to Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary in Sheopur and Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Mandsaur – the present and proposed homes of cheetahs in India. The RTI was denied under Section 8(1)(a) of the RTI Act, which permits withholding information that may affect India's sovereignty, integrity, national security, strategic interests, or foreign relations. 

What has amplified the dispute is that the MP forest department repeated the same argument before the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) after NTCA issued a notice seeking clarification on the rejection. In its written response to NTCA, the department claimed the cheetah project involves international collaborations and foreign experts, and that disclosure of information could "jeopardize these relationships and the project's integrity." A letter written by Public Information Officer Saurav Kumar Kabra to NTCA states: "Disclosure may harm the sovereignty and integrity of India, or its relations with a foreign state… The scheme involves the Government of India and friendly nations; MoUs for Project Cheetah have been signed with partner nations, and guidance is received periodically from foreign experts." The department's explanation to NTCA emphasised the involvement of South Africa, Kenya and Namibia, describing Project Cheetah as a "critical experimental scheme" cleared by the Supreme Court in January 2020. It added that the second phase of the project is planned at Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary.

This is not a serious reply at all. I don't know when MP received cheetahs from Kenya," Dubey remarked, calling the government's defence ‘absurd' and "a misuse of national security clauses." He has filed an appeal against the RTI denial. Dubey lodged a formal complaint with the State Information Commission, accusing PCCF Sen of misusing Section 8(1)(a) to conceal public information and directing the PIO to reject the RTI. The Commission's notice states that the PIO was expected to provide the information but acted on instructions from Sen to block it completely. The Information Commission has now asked Sen to explain why action should not be taken against him under the RTI Act, including a penalty and departmental inquiry. The matter will be heard on December 12, and further action will depend on Sen's response.

In Pictures: When rural Rajasthan walked 16 days to make the State answer.

Make to Media: Mallika Singh: Rajasthan: Monday, December 01, 2025.

On 26 November 2025, India’s 76th Constitution Day, a day marking the state’s transition to a sovereign, democratic republic, Jaipur witnessed the culmination of a 16-day Jawabdehi Pad Yatra (Accountability March) which commenced in Beawar on 11 November 2025. Organised by the Soochna Evam Rozgar Adhikar Abhiyan Rajasthan (Right to Information and Employment Campaign Rajasthan), the Yatra brought together farmers, daily wage workers, female domestic workers, nomadic tribe members, and other marginalised rural community members, after over two weeks on foot, to the state capital. Their central demand is straightforward: urgent passage and implementation of the long-pending Rajasthan Transparency and Social Accountability Bill (RTSA) 2020.

Rural Rajasthan’s rightful asks around labour welfare, silicosis relief, pensions, and food security remain consistently unanswered, not because laws are missing, but because there is no political or administrative accountability to enforce them at the ground level. The first and 100-day-long Jawabdehi Yatra between 2015 and 2016 recorded over ten thousand grievances, with no legitimate follow-ups, and likewise for the second and third Yatra in 2021 and 2022. This time, between Beawar and Jaipur, the Yatra marched through 200–300 villages and witnessed widespread systemic failures once again, from pending complaints on the Rajasthan Sampark Portal established under the Rajasthan Right to Hearing Act, 2012, to unlawful deletion of lakhs of names from voter lists under the ongoing Special Intensive Revision.

There was also a sharp focus on labor welfare, demanding immediate implementation of the Minimum Guaranteed Income Act, along with a rise in the monthly pension from ₹1000 to ₹1500, a 15% annual increment as promised, and timely disbursal on a fixed date with due compensation for any delay. They also seek guaranteed employment of 125 days for shehri (urban) workers and 25 days for grameen (rural) workers each year under MNREGA, alongside an increase in minimum wages to at least ₹800. Female domestic workers called for the establishment of a dedicated board for them under the state legislature, with formal recognition as laborers by adopting the ILO Convention 189, to ensure dignity, workplace protection, and other basic labour rights for this otherwise largely invisible workforce.

The majority of the protestors happen to be long-standing campaigners of the Right to Information Act (RTI), 2005, and demand the immediate withdrawal of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA), 2023, as it grants public authorities sweeping discretion to withhold information by labelling it “personal.” Details about assets and liabilities of public servants, contract awards, welfare-beneficiary lists, or government expenditures, all of which RTI had previously routinely exposed, could now be withheld even when disclosure serves public interest

Furthermore, the yatra demands urgent enforcement of the Rajasthan Silicosis Policy, 2019, a landmark framework for detection, prevention, and rehabilitation, promising monthly pensions for affected workers and widows. Despite Rajasthan being an epicentre of silicosis, the policy remains largely absent on the ground. Labourers made repeated accounts of deaths persisting around stone-crushing zones. Immediate expansion of the National Food Security Act (NFSA) coverage was also brought to light, noting that thirteen years without a new census has left thousands excluded from food and ration entitlements, making the identification and inclusion of new eligible households an urgent priority.

The Yatra’s arrival in Jaipur on a day the state remembers its fundamental democratic values under the Indian Constitution exposes a long-standing tension in Rajasthan’s governance: constitutional rights exist, yet the systems meant to guarantee them falter repeatedly. And if these voices can only be heard after such a journey, how many must remain unheard altogether?

Your data, your rules: Understanding India’s DPDP Act, 2025

Tribune India: Ivnindar Pal Singh: Chandigadh: Monday, December 01, 2025.

Why India’s new privacy law matters and how it reshapes transparency, governance and everyday digital life. 

Think of every time you typed your phone number on a website, allowed an app to track your location or clicked “I Agree” without reading anything. Now imagine all that information travelling across servers, companies, governments and algorithms, often without you knowing how it’s being used.

India finally decided to put brakes on this free-flowing, unregulated exchange of personal data. That is where the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2025 steps in, a law designed for a country where digital life is now everyday life. This is not just a law for techies, bureaucrats or UPSC aspirants. It affects everyone who uses a smartphone, which means almost every Indian.

Why India needed this lawToo many data leaks, too little accountability?

Over the years, countless leaks exposed personal details — phone numbers, Aadhaar data, financial information — floating across the internet. People lost money to scams; others had their identities misused. But companies rarely faced serious consequences.

Apps were taking ‘permission’ without asking

You downloaded a photo-editing app and suddenly it had access to your contacts, microphone and location. The old system allowed companies to hide behind long, unreadable consent forms.Government programmes became data-heavy

Schemes like direct benefit transfer, digital land records and public health databases collect massive sensitive data. Without a proper law, there were no clear rules on how this would be stored, shared or protected.India needed a global-standard privacy law

Countries around the world, especially those in Europe, already have strong data protection systems. A strong Indian framework boosts global trust in Indian companies and digital governance.

Salient features: What the DPDP Act actually does“Say yes only if you really want to” — Stronger consent. Every app, website or organisation must clearly tell you:what data they want

• why they want it
• how long they will store it
• how you can withdraw consent
• No vague language, no sneaky permissions

Example: If a delivery app wants access to your gallery, you can simply refuse and it cannot deny service for that.You own your data — not the appThe law grants strong user rights:

• Right to access your data
• Right to correct wrong information
• Right to get your data deleted
• Right to stop data processing
• Right to nominate someone to exercise these rights if you cannot

Example: If a fintech app still holds your old address or Aadhaar number, you can demand correction or complete deletion.Special care for children’s data

• For anyone under 18:Parental consent is mandatory
• Apps cannot target ads at them
• Apps cannot track or profile them

Example: A gaming app cannot silently track a 12-year-old’s location or behaviour.Data fiduciaries must act responsibly

• Any organisation collecting your data must follow strict rules:robust security systems
• minimal data collection
• deletion once purpose is over
• breach notification within strict timelines
• Big platforms handling millions of users become Significant Data Fiduciaries, facing even higher scrutiny.Massive penalties for violations
• Fines can go up to hundreds of crores if a platform misuses or leaks data. No gentle warnings — real money on the line.

Example: If a popular social media platform leaks user data due to lazy security, they face steep monetary penalties.

• A new enforcer: The data protection board
• This independent body handles:user complaints
• breach investigations
• penalties and compliance
• Think of it as the traffic police of the digital world.

Timeline: How we got here?

• 2017: Supreme Court declares privacy a fundamental right.
• 2018–2022: Multiple draft bills prepared and withdrawn.
• 2023: DPDP Act is finally passed by Parliament.
• 2025: Rules framed and operationalised, making the law implementable.
• By 2027: Full-scale enforcement expected across sectors.
• This journey took years of debate, court cases, and stakeholder consultations — reflecting how complex digital privacy is.

DPDP vs RTI Act: A battle between privacy and transparency

• The conflict explained simplyRTI enables citizens to seek information from the government to ensure transparency.
• DPDP protects personal information from unnecessary exposure.
• The clash arises because:RTI gave access to personal information if public interest demanded it.DPDP tightens what counts as “personal information”. The earlier public-interest test is now weakerWhat this means in real life
• A citizen earlier could ask:How many government employees were penalised in a corruption case? 
• What were the assets declared by a public servant?

Now, authorities may deny this citing “personal data”.

The worry

• Transparency activists fear officials might hide information under the label of “privacy”, reducing public accountability.The government’s stand
• They argue that privacy is a fundamental right and misuse of personal information must stop — even when requested under RTI.
• The truth lies somewhere in between: India must protect privacy without shutting the doors of transparency.
• Why this law matters to every IndianYou get more control over what apps know about you
• You can demand deletion of data that companies keep forever
• Children get a safer digital environment
• Companies finally face real consequences for negligence
• But at the same time, citizens must stay alert so transparency under RTI doesn’t slowly erode
• Whether you’re a student, worker, parent or business owner — this law touches your digital life daily.

Privacy wins, but democracy must not lose

The DPDP Act is a landmark shift in India’s digital journey. It gives ordinary citizens power over their personal data, something long overdue in a country where digital activity grows every day.

But it also raises a difficult question: Can we protect individual privacy without dimming the light that RTI shines on public accountability?

This balance will define the future of India’s digital democracy. The DPDP Act is a strong start, but how wisely we implement it will decide whether India becomes both a private and transparent nation in the years ahead.

SC to hear on Monday pleas seeking filling of vacancies in CIC, SICs.

Siasat.com: Monday, December 01, 2025.

The apex court said information officers should include people of eminence from varied fields.

The apex court said information officers should include people of eminence from varied fields.

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Monday pleas seeking filling of vacancies in the Central Information Commission (CIC) and State Information Commissions (SICs) amid rising pendency of cases before them.

A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi will hear pleas filed by activist Anjali Bhardwaj and others, in which it had earlier directed the Centre to expeditiously fill up the vacancies in the CIC and SICs.

On November 27, the top court deferred the matter after it was informed by Additional Solicitor General K M Nataraj that the selection committee constituted under section 12(3) of the Right to Information Act, 2005, was scheduled to meet on October 28, 202,5, but the meeting could not take place.

The bench had asked Nataraj to speak to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) and apprise them of the total vacancies, observing that “we have no reason to doubt that the Competent Authority will take the necessary initiative to fill the available vacancies”.

It had been noted that states like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Karnataka have broadly filled all the vacancies and their Information Commissions are working at full capacity, while in Chhattisgarh, in six weeks’ time, the vacancies will be filled.

The top court noted the submission of advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the petitioner, that seven posts of information commissioner are lying vacant in Madhya Pradesh.

The bench had directed the chief secretary of Madhya Pradesh to start the process immediately of appointing information commissioners, if it has not been initiated, and submit a compliance affidavit to this court.

“It is clarified that if the needful is not done before the next date of hearing, the Chief Secretary shall be required to remain personally present before this Court on the next date of hearing,” the top court had said.

On October 27, the top court refused to issue a directive for public disclosure of the names of candidates shortlisted for the post of chief information commissioner and information commissioners in the CIC.

It had directed the states, including Jharkhand and Himachal Pradesh, to immediately try to fill up the vacant posts in the state information commissions.

Bhushan had alleged that governments were “trying to kill the Right to Information Act” by making information commissions defunct.

He had submitted that the CIC is currently without its chief, and eight out of 10 posts of information commissioners are vacant.

“The backlog of cases in the CIC is nearly 30,000,” he had submitted, and pointed out the violation of earlier orders of the apex court, where it was directed that all vacant posts should be filled up directly.

On January 7, the top court took a dim view of the vacancies in the CIC and state information commissions as it directed the Centre to immediately fill the posts.

Seeking an expeditious selection of information commissioners in the CIC, the apex court had told the Centre that these posts need to be filled at the earliest.

It had criticised the appointments being made only from a particular category of candidates in the CIC and SICs, and mulled taking a judicial note of the fact that only bureaucrats are considered for the appointment in these commissions instead of people from all walks of life.

Activist Bhardwaj and others have submitted that in 2019, the apex court issued seminal directions for filling of posts in the CIC and SICs, but states delayed the selection process and virtually killed the Right to Information Act.

On November 26, 2024, the top court took a stern view on the matter and asked the Centre and states to apprise it of the steps taken to fill the posts.

Since February 2019, the apex court has passed several directions on the need for timely appointments to the transparency watchdog by the Centre and states. It was observed that in Jharkhand, Tripura and Telangana, the SICs had become virtually defunct, as there were no information commissioners.

On October 30, 2023, the top court issued a similar directive, noting the 2005 Right to Information law would become a “dead letter” otherwise. Bhardwaj’s plea said the Centre and states did not follow the apex court’s 2019 judgement on the issues, including timely filling posts in CIC and SICs.

The top court in December 2019 directed the Centre and state governments to appoint information commissioners in CIC and SICs within three months and asked authorities concerned to publish the names of members of the committee on the selection panel and appointment of information commissioners at the CIC on their websites.

Civic body faces heat over incomplete RTI info

Tribune India: Ludhiana: Monday, December 01, 2025.

Comply with directions or face personal appearance, says commission.

The Punjab State Information Commission has pulled up the Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana, for failing to provide complete information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, directing officials to furnish remaining details or submit a formal undertaking if records are unavailable.

The order, issued by State Information Commissioner Harpreet Singh Sandhu follows a complaint by Sat Pall Sharma, a resident of Haibowal Kalan, who alleged that the civic body had shared only partial information in response to his RTI application regarding ‘Punjab Nirman’ programme.

The Punjab State Information Commission has pulled up the Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana, for failing to provide complete information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, directing officials to furnish remaining details or submit a formal undertaking if records are unavailable.

The order, issued by State Information Commissioner Harpreet Singh Sandhu follows a complaint by Sat Pall Sharma, a resident of Haibowal Kalan, who alleged that the civic body had shared only partial information in response to his RTI application regarding ‘Punjab Nirman’ programme.

“I’ve been pursuing the same for months. Citizens have the right to know how public funds are used and incomplete replies defeat the purpose of transparency,” Sharma said.

The commission has also instructed the Public Information Officer (PIO) to either provide the remaining information or file an undertaking confirming its non-availability. A copy of the same must be sent to both appellant and the commission. In case of non-compliance, the Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana, has been directed to appear in person in the next hearing.

The matter has been adjourned to January 15, 2026, with a follow-up date of January 21 for further proceedings.

“RTI is a tool for citizens to hold institutions accountable. When departments dodge questions or delay responses, it signals deeper issues in record-keeping and intent,” said Jaspreet Kaur, a local advocate.

RTI Not A Tool To Obtain Others' Exam Answer Sheets: Karnataka High Court Rejects Activist's Plea For KPSC Answer Script Disclosure

Live Law: Karnataka: Sunday, November 30, 2025.

The Karnataka High Court recently said that merely being a Right to Information activist would not give a person the right to seek answer scripts of a person who had appeared for the exam conducted by the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC).
A single judge, Justice Suraj Govindaraj said thus while dismissing the petition filed by one Intak Raju N, who claimed to be a RTI activist and President of the Mysore District Right to Information and Human Rights Protection Association.
The petitioner had made an application for furnishing the answer script of one of the candidates who had appeared for the examination conducted by the Excise Department.
It was his contention that the said person has been appointed and as such, the answer scripts were sought for. The said application was rejected by the Public Information Officer, First Appellate Authority as also the Karnataka Information Commission.
The bench noted that what has been sought for by the petitioner is essentially an answer script of a person who had appeared in the exam and not that of the petitioner himself in any way.
Following which it held “The petitioner had not appeared for the exam but only claims to be a Right to Information Activist. The petitioner cannot be said to be aggrieved by the said person, having succeeded in the examination.”
Accordingly, it dismissed the petition.
(Click here to DownloadOrder)

Strict action if written RTI applications are rejected, warns State Information Commission

The Hindu: Kerala: Sunday, November 30, 2025.

The Kerala State Information Commission has cautioned that strict action will be taken against offices refusing to accept the Right to Information (RTI) applications submitted on paper. State Information Commissioner K. M. Dileep has said the Commission has received multiple complaints that several offices insist on online applications and decline handwritten ones.
He was speaking after a hearing conducted at the Thrissur Collectorate on Saturday.
Dr. Dileep clarified that the RTI Act mandates acceptance of applications submitted not only through K-SMART or RTI online portals, but also those filed in writing. “If an applicant is unable to submit the request in writing, the Public Information Officer is legally required to assist them by preparing the written application,” he said.
The Commission made this observation while hearing a complaint by Anto D. Ollukkaran, who alleged that his RTI application submitted on paper was refused by an office.
At the hearing held under the chairmanship of Dr. Dileep, 49 appeals were disposed of out of the 53 taken up for consideration. Four appeals were postponed for later review.
The appeals heard on Friday were related to departments including Local Self-Governments, Health, Police, Taxes, and Forests.

Goa University told to share prof’s certificates with RTI applicant

Times of India: Ahmedabad: Sunday, November 30, 2025.
Goa State Information Commission has directed Goa University to furnish certified copies of the degree, master’s, and PhD certificates of a professor at Goa University within 10 days to an RTI applicant.

The commission held that the educational qualification certificates (degree, master’s, and PhD) submitted to Goa University by Prof. Shaila D’Souza at the time of joining as a member of the teaching faculty at Goa University are in the possession of the university and “cannot be denied” under the RTI Act. They cannot be claimed to be “personal information of a third party”.
“The moment the said certificates are submitted to Goa University (public authority in the present appeal), such certificates become part of the records/documents held by Goa University,” stated state chief information commissioner, GSIC Aravind Kumar Nair.
Nazario Savio Paul D’Souza stated that he was not provided information by the PIO and by the first appellate authority under the RTI Act in respect of D’Souza of the Centre for Women’s Studies at Goa University. The PIO stated that this information is “third party information and cannot be provided under Section 11 of the RTI Act, 2005”. The commission has called for a compliance report to be submitted to the commission within 15 days.

RTI activist slams 'wasteful' spending at Belagavi's Suvarna Vidhana Soudha, demands transparency

 Deccan Herald: Belagavi: Saturday, 29 November 2025.
Calling the expenditure “wasteful” and “beyond acceptable limits,” Gadad warned that if the government fails to rein in such misuse of public funds, a legal battle may be unavoidable.

Vidhana Soudha file photoCredit: DH File Photo

After a Right to Information query revealed large-scale expenditure on furniture and oil portraits inside the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha (SVS) in Belagavi, activist Bhimappa Gadad has demanded full transparency on the spending.
Calling the expenditure “wasteful” and “beyond acceptable limits,” Gadad warned that if the government fails to rein in such misuse of public funds, a legal battle may be unavoidable.
Addressing a press conference here on Friday, Gadad disclosed details obtained through the RTI Act, revealing that Rs 42,93,940 was spent on crafting a new chair and table for the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. In addition, Rs 1,98,240 was spent on refurbishing the plywood, upholstery and cushions of the Legislative Council Speaker’s chair. Gadad said such figures raise serious questions about fiscal responsibility and prioritisation of state resources.
According to the RTI documents, another Rs 67,67,964 was utilised to prepare and install 11 oil portraits of distinguished figures associated with the Anubhav Mantap, along with an extra painting. All artworks were produced by well-known artists. This amount surpasses the previous expenditure of Rs 36,60,000 incurred in 2011 to create furniture for the President’s visit during the inauguration of the SVS.
Gadad further stated that the government had earlier approved Rs 13,34,564 on February 27, 2023, for seven portraits measuring 8x5 feet, painted by reputed state artists. However, a review team from the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishad, instructed by the Speaker, inspected the portraits and concluded in a report dated October 25, 2025, that many paintings did not resemble the actual personalities. Following this assessment, the government issued a fresh order releasing Rs 28,49,200 to produce new oil paintings.
In addition, Rs 25,84,200 was sanctioned on February 4, 2025, for installing the Anubhav Mantap artwork on the first floor’s western wing and for handing over the Mahatma Gandhi portrait, an artwork that has drawn significant artistic appreciation across Karnataka.
With close to Rs 68 lakh spent on portraits and Rs 43 lakh on the Speaker’s chair, Gadad said citizens are increasingly questioning how such decisions were taken and who authorised the expenditures. He also urged the government to allow free public access to these artworks and appoint guides, similar to those in the tourism department.

‘Sorry’ not enough: Nadiad deputy collector and public information officer fined Rs 5,000for delaying RTI information in Gujarat

Times of India: Ahmedabad: Saturday, 29 November 2025.
The Gujarat State Information Commission has penalised Nadiad deputy collector and public information officer Nirbhay Gondaliya with a Rs 5,000 fine for not providing RTI information within the mandated period and for asking the applicant to visit his office to collect the documents. The commission stated that this step violated the RTI Act and was "contrary to the spirit of the Act".

The case stems from an RTI application submitted by Hemant Patel on April 21, 2025, seeking a copy of an order passed in RTS Appeal No. 104/2006. Despite the legal requirement to reply within 30 days, no information was provided. Instead, on May 5, the PIO informed Patel that the record was old and that a "search was ongoing", assuring him that he would be updated once it was found. Patel later filed a first appeal, after which the First Appellate Authority, on July 2, ordered that the information be provided within five days.
However, no information was supplied even after this order. According to the commission, Gondaliya later admitted that he asked Patel to come to the office personally to collect the documents. The commission noted, "Directing the applicant to visit the office is equivalent to knowingly delaying information." It reiterated that the RTI Act contains no provision allowing a PIO to summon an applicant to the office.
It was only after the commission issued a notice for the second appeal hearing that the PIO sent the information on Nov 8 months after the deadline and dispatched it via speed post on Nov 11.
During the hearing via video conference, when asked to explain why action under Section 20(1) should not be taken for delay and misconduct, the PIO offered only a single-word defence: "SORRY". The commission recorded that "the officer provided no clarification other than a mere apology", establishing that the delay was intentional.
State chief information commissioner Subhash Soni observed that the PIO failed both to respect statutory timelines and to follow the First Appellate Authority's instruction. He ruled that Gondaliya's conduct violated the Act's mandate to assist applicants and ensure timely information delivery.
The commission ordered him to deposit the Rs 5,000 penalty within seven days, failing which the amount will be deducted from his salary. The collector of Kheda has been directed to report compliance by Dec 10.

Cabinet okays reforms, all registered societies in Punjab to come under RTI

Hindustan Times: Chandigarh: Saturday, 29 November 2025.
Industries and power minister Sanjeev Arora said the new legislation modernises the regulatory framework governing societies, especially those engaged in health, education, sports, social welfare and charitable activities.

Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann chairing the cabinet
meeting on Friday. (HT Photo)

In a move aimed at bringing greater transparency and accountability in the societies operating in the state, the Punjab cabinet on Friday gave its nod to the Societies Registration (Punjab Amendment) Act, 2025, amending the historic Societies Act of 1860. Among the major provisions of the Act is bringing all the registered societies under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
Industries and power minister Sanjeev Arora said the new legislation modernises the regulatory framework governing societies, especially those engaged in health, education, sports, social welfare and charitable activities.
“The amendments bring all societies under a uniform, transparent regime, ensuring responsible use of public funds and tax-exempt resources. According to the new act, all registered societies in Punjab will now be mandatorily covered under the RTI Act, ensuring public scrutiny, transparency in decision-making and greater public trust,” said Arora.
He said the Act also empowers registrars to seek any information or records from societies to ensure compliance with law and prevent misuse of funds or deviation from stated objectives.
Mandatory five-year renewal of societies
Arora said after the Act is passed in the Vidhan Sabha, all societies will be required to renew their registration every five years to ensure active functioning, accurate records, and periodic verification of their objectives and management.
“All existing societies in Punjab must re-register under the amended Act within one year from its enforcement, bringing them under the new compliance and transparency framework,” said Arora.
The minister also disclosed that a name of the society already in use within the same jurisdiction, or a deceptively similar name that may mislead the public, won’t be allowed.
“Few people use names and words such as anti-terror front, government or any other word with an aim to deceive the people. That won’t be allowed under the new act,” said Arora.
The Act also prohibits societies from selling, transferring or disposing of immovable property without the prior approval of the registrar, thus preventing unauthorised transactions and safeguarding public assets.
In another major regulation, the deputy commissioners (DCs), in areas where societies are registered, have been empowered to order inquiries through an officer of the rank of tehsildar in case of complaints.
“If wrongdoing is detected and not corrected within the prescribed time, appoint an SDM-level administrator to take charge and restore proper functioning,” said the minister.
Many charitable institutions avail income tax benefits by registering as societies. The Act ensures such organisations follow strict compliance and accountability norms to continue receiving such exemptions.
Nod to empanel 300 specialist doctors
The cabinet also gave its nod to empanel 300 specialist doctors across 12 key specialties, including medicine, paediatrics, psychiatry, dermatology, chest & TB, surgery, gynecology, orthopedics, ophthalmology, ENT, and anaesthesiology across government health facilities, with an aim to meet the shortage of specialist doctors. The Punjab government has not been able to attract an adequate number of specialists in recruitments done over the past few years. The empanelment of specialists will be done at district-level through civil surgeons and the empanelled specialist shall be entitled to an empanelment fee per patient for various services such as OPD, IPD, emergency calls, major & minor surgeries and procedures and others.
The Act also mandates that if an elected managing committee is dissolved or an administrator is appointed, fresh elections must be conducted within six months, ensuring democratic functioning of societies.
Finance minister Harpal Cheema said private doctors will get ₹100 incentives both in IPD and OPD. However, a cap has been set on the number of patients these specialists can examine -- between 50 and 150 in the OPD, and two to twenty in the IPD, the minister added. Cheema said if a specialist government doctor, who is on night duty, is called at day time, they will get an incentive of ₹1,000. If the doctor is not on duty during night hours, but is called during the period, then the incentive will double.
Nod to frame minor mineral rules
The cabinet also gave approval to Punjab minor minerals rules 2013 in accordance with the Punjab state minor minerals (Amendment) Policy, 2025. These new rules/ modifications were needed to be added/ substituted in the existing Punjab minor minerals rules 2013 for allocation of mining rights to mining lease holders of crusher mining sites and landowner mining sites to be allotted in the state.

Parliament Requests Extension on RTI Query Over Former Minister’s Military Records

News Ghana: Ghana: Friday, 28 November 2025.

Bryan Acheampong

Parliament has requested an extra week to respond to a Right to Information (RTI) application seeking clarity on the United States Air Force service records of Dr. Bryan Acheampong, Member of Parliament for Abetifi and former Minister for Food and Agriculture. The request for an extension follows the expiration of the statutory 14 day window within which public institutions are mandated to respond to information requests, as stipulated under the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989).
The RTI application was filed on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, and received by Parliament on the same day. A Ghanaian citizen filed the request in November to determine whether Parliament had received and archived documents relating to Dr. Acheampong’s stated service in the US Air Force from 2005 to 2009.
During his vetting before the Appointments Committee on February 20, 2023, Dr. Acheampong declined to publicly disclose the rank with which he enlisted and the rank at discharge. He insisted that the details were of a sensitive nature and would only be made available to the leadership of Parliament, along with what he described as his honourable discharge certificate.
When questioned by Member of Parliament Kwame Agbodza about the rank at which he was enlisted and the rank at which he left the US Air Force, Dr. Acheampong stated that all details of his operations at National Security should not be shared, but he could provide that to the leadership of the house. Repeated questions from MPs, including Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson and Kwame Agbodza, did not elicit a definitive response.
Dr. Acheampong maintained that he would submit the documents privately to the committee. He told the Appointments Committee that when leaving the military, one receives either an honourable certificate or a dishonourable one, promising to produce his honourable discharge certificate immediately after the sitting, which would detail everything he did in the military.
According to information available, the Clerk to Parliament has informed the applicant, identified as Ticket Number 59, that the records are not readily accessible. He explained that any such documentation would have been submitted during the 8th Parliament, whose term ended on January 6, 2025. With a new Appointments Committee Chairman now in place under the 9th Parliament, the Clerk requested additional time to trace the documents.
The RTI applicant asked Parliament to confirm whether it received details of Dr. Acheampong’s enlistment and discharge ranks from the US Air Force, whether an honourable discharge certificate or any related documents were submitted, and if so, requested certified copies or sufficient extracts from those documents.
The applicant stated the decision was premised on a matter of public interest concerning statements made by Dr. Acheampong during his vetting. The applicant argues that the information is of significant public interest, given the former minister’s reliance on national security grounds to avoid public disclosure during his vetting.
The Ghanaian citizen has also petitioned the United States Embassy in Accra to verify the records of Dr. Acheampong regarding his service in the Air Force. Further investigation is underway amid allegations about the former minister’s past business dealings.
In 2023, documents allegedly from the US military’s National Personnel Records Center were published, showing Dr. Acheampong’s status as discharged, with his assignment given as National Guard Rhode Island. The documents indicated he was trained at Fuels Apprentice School and received the Air Force Training Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Dr. Acheampong has served as Member of Parliament for the Abetifi Constituency in Ghana’s Eastern Region since January 2017. He previously held the position of Minister of Food and Agriculture from February 2023 to January 2025 under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.

Halal Food On Trains? Indian Railways Breaks Silence After RTI & NHRC Notice

ABP Live: National: Friday, 28 November 2025.
In its reply, a senior Railway Board official stated that Indian Railways and IRCTC maintain strict adherence to food safety and quality standards while serving meals to passengers.

Questions continue to be raised over whether passengers on Indian Railways are being served halal-certified meat, prompting an individual to file an application under the Right to Information (RTI) Act seeking an official answer. The query eventually reached the Central Information Commission (CIC), leading to a formal response from Indian Railways. In its submission to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the Railway Board has now clarified that there is no official provision for the sale or serving of halal-certified food onboard trains. The matter has sparked a wider debate around food certification norms and passenger rights.
Railways Responds To RTI Query
The issue surfaced after a complaint was recently filed with the National Human Rights Commission against Indian Railways. The complaint alleged that passengers who consume non-vegetarian meals on trains are being served only halal-processed meat. The complainant argued that this amounts to discriminatory practice and claimed it was a violation of human rights, which prompted the NHRC to issue a notice to the Railway Board.
In its reply, a senior Railway Board official stated that Indian Railways and IRCTC maintain strict adherence to food safety and quality standards while serving meals to passengers. According to the statement, the meals served are prepared in compliance with Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) guidelines, and there is no government rule mandating the serving of halal-certified meat. The official reiterated that there is no official provision to serve halal-certified food on Indian Railways and rejected claims that such meat is being supplied exclusively.
The Railway Board also confirmed that a similar question had been submitted before the Chief Information Commissioner under the RTI Act. The applicant sought clarification on whether non-vegetarian meals served on trains used halal-processed meat.
The Railways presented its position before the CIC and stated clearly that halal-certified food is not served. It added that IRCTC focuses strictly on food quality and passenger safety. The Railways further noted that there is no guideline or instruction issued to IRCTC regarding halal certification, making the claims of exclusive halal meat serving unfounded and unsubstantiated.

Four years on, BDO warned for dishing out inconsistent RTI info

The Times of India: Chennai: Friday, 28 November 2025.
After four years of contradictory replies and shifting claims, the state information panel has warned the deputy block development officer of St Thomas Mount panchayat union for misleading both an RTI applicant and the commission.

However it chose to be lenient, sparing the official of a penalty even though the observation came in the non-compliance petition over the commission's earlier order, while the original petition sought information four years ago.
In 2021, G Venkatesan of Medavakkam filed a petition under the RTI Act seeking details of the records of a complaint regarding a construction on govt encroached land in St Thomas Mount panchayat union without proper approvals.
Later, he filed a complaint petition before the state information commission, and in 2023, the commission ordered the public information officer to allow the petitioner to peruse the relevant documents in person and provide a copy of the details he sought for free if the pages did not exceed 100 pages.
The commission warned of action if the order was not obeyed.
In 2024, the petitioner lodged a non-compliance petition stating that the commission's order was not complied with. On Nov 19, the complaint petition came up for hearing before the chief election commissioner Md Shakeel Akhter.
PIO A Gomathi submitted that the reply was sent to the petitioner in Jan this year. Recording that the reply was sent much later than the deadline set by the commission, the chief commissioner directed the then PIO Anbazhagan to show cause why disciplinary action should not be initiated against him.

Andhra Minister Lokesh paid for air travel from own pocket, reveal RTI documents

AP7AM: Amaravati: Friday, 28 November 2025.
Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh used his own money for financing his 77 flights to Hyderabad, said replies to applications filed by an activist under the Right To Information (RTI) Act.

Replies from various departments which are under the Minister show that he has not claimed travelling expenses.
Nara Lokesh is the Minister for Human Resources Development, Information Technology, Electronics and Communications and Real Time Governance.
He is the son of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.
The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) said that the claims made by Opposition YSR Congress Party that Lokesh travelled to Hyderabad 77 times by a special aircraft proved 'blatant lies'.
"None of these are personal trips, yet Minister Nara Lokesh funded these tours from his own pocket," the TDP said in a post on X.
"It has been revealed through an application filed by an RTI activist that Minister Nara Lokesh has not taken even a single rupee from the Human Resources, IT, Electronics, and Real Time Governance departments, which he manages, for these tours," it added.
The TDP also posted replies from the departments concerned to RTI queries by Kodamala Suresh Babu of Guntur district.
Higher Education Department, Skill Development and Training Department, Information Technology, Electronics and Communications and Department of Real Time Governance sent replies to the applications filed by the activist under the RTI application.
As per the replies from all four departments, Minister Nara Lokesh for not claiming travelling expenses.
YSRCP leaders have been criticising Minister Nara Lokesh for his frequent air trips to Hyderabad.
They had accused the Minister of misusing public money for personal visits.
They claimed that Lokesh travelled to Hyderabad by flight 77 times since TDP-led coalition came to power 18 months ago.
According to the YSRCP leaders, the Minister was visiting Hyderabad every week.
With replies to RTI queries making it clear that Minister Lokesh paid for those flights from his own pocket, the TDP leaders have hit back at the YSRCP leaders.
The ruling TDP leaders accused the opposition YSRCP of making baseless allegations against the Minister.

Goa University pulled up as SIC declares faculty certificates public under RTI Act

Daijiworld: Panaji: Thursday, 27 November 2025.
In a significant setback to Goa University’s claim that faculty qualifications are “personal information,” the Goa State Information Commission has ruled that academic certificates submitted during recruitment are public documents and must be disclosed under the Right to Information Act.

Delivering a strong order, State Chief Information Commissioner Aravind Nair overturned the First Appellate Authority’s decision and directed the University to furnish the Degree, Master’s and PhD certificates of Prof Shaila D’Souza within 10 days. He held that such documents cannot be protected under Section 8(1)(j) nor treated as “third party information.”
Nair observed that once educational certificates are submitted to a public authority for employment, they become part of official service records and fall squarely in the public domain.
Any attempt to withhold them, he said, undermines transparency in public recruitment. “These documents are with Goa University, and they cannot be denied as someone’s personal information,” the Commission stated.
The ruling follows an appeal filed by Nazario Savio P. D’Souza of St Cruz, who had sought 30 details from the University’s Administration (Teaching) section on September 30, 2024. The Public Information Officer responded partly, marking 14 items as “Not Available,” seven as “Third Party,” three as “questions,” and another under Section 8(1)(g), citing confidentiality of the selection panel.
Challenging the selective replies, the applicant moved the First Appellate Authority, which ordered corrections only for the “Not Available” entries while upholding the refusal to release the professor’s certificates on grounds of lack of consent.
Still unable to obtain key documents, the appellant approached the State Information Commission on April 1, 2025.
In its ruling, the SIC stressed that citizens have every right to verify the qualifications of individuals appointed by publicly funded institutions. Ordering complete disclosure, it directed the University PIO to issue certified copies of all three academic certificates within 10 days and submit a compliance report within 15 days of receiving the order.

Gujarat: PIO fined Rs 5k for denying RTI info citing ‘12 applications’ rule

 The Times of India: Ahmedabad: Thursday, 27 November 2025.
In a stern move against misuse of its orders, the Gujarat Information Commission (GIC) has imposed a penalty of Rs 5,000 on the Public Information Officer (PIO) of Sarigam gram panchayat for denying information to an applicant after misinterpreting an earlier commission directive.

The commission has also recommended disciplinary action against the taluka development officer, who served as the first appellate authority, for negligence in the discharge of his duties. The case involved petitioner Pankaj Rai, who had sought documents related to the allotment of house numbers and construction permits.
The PIO rejected his RTI application on grounds that he had filed more than 12 RTI applications a restriction the commission had imposed on specific applicants in an order dated Feb 1, 2025. However, the GIC clarified that the order was not meant for ordinary citizens.
"The order dated Feb 1, 2025, applies only to the petitioner. It does not apply to any ordinary applicant," the commission stated in its ruling.
Despite the clear scope of the original order, the PIO denied the information, and the first appellate authority upheld the denial without proper scrutiny of the facts.
Taking a serious view of this lapse, the commission not only imposed the financial penalty but also directed that it be recovered from the PIO's salary. Additionally, it recommended disciplinary proceedings against the taluka development officer for failing to examine the appeal properly.
At the same time, the commission rejected the petitioner's request for specific documents, ruling that they belonged to a third party and were exempt from disclosure under Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act. These included personal details such as names, addresses, property transfer records and construction permits, which the commission deemed confidential in the absence of any demonstrated substantial public interest.
The ruling comes amid widespread misuse of the "12 applications" restriction by PIOs across Gujarat. Expressing concern over this trend, the commission stated that it hoped "henceforth the misinterpretation of the orders will be stopped, and citizens will get relief".