The Economic Times: Shimla: Sunday,
March 15, 2026.
Himachal
Pradesh's Congress government has removed the Anti-Corruption Bureau and
Vigilance Bureau from the Right to Information Act. This move prevents citizens
from seeking information on these bodies. The opposition BJP has strongly
condemned the decision. Former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur stated the action
is undemocratic and against constitutional spirit.
The Congress government in Himachal Pradesh has excluded the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and the Vigilance Bureau from the ambit of the RTI Act, 2005, drawing criticism from the opposition BJP.
An order issued
on Thursday said the move was aimed at safeguarding sensitive information
during investigations. State chief secretary Sanjay Gupta said the decision was
similar to exemptions granted to central agencies such as the CBI and the
Intelligence Bureau under the RTI framework.
With the order, citizens will not be able to seek information on the ACB and the state Vigilance Bureau through RTI applications, except for limited disclosures in specific cases.
The BJP criticised the decision. "It is extremely unfortunate, undemocratic and against the basic spirit of the Constitution. It clearly shows that the chief minister fears transparency and is attempting to hide growing corruption in the state," former chief minister Jairam Thakur told ET.
"Congress leaders roam around the country with a copy of the Constitution. But when they come to power, they themselves disregard constitutional norms and public accountability," he added.
The Congress government in Himachal Pradesh has excluded the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and the Vigilance Bureau from the ambit of the RTI Act, 2005, drawing criticism from the opposition BJP.
With the order, citizens will not be able to seek information on the ACB and the state Vigilance Bureau through RTI applications, except for limited disclosures in specific cases.
The BJP criticised the decision. "It is extremely unfortunate, undemocratic and against the basic spirit of the Constitution. It clearly shows that the chief minister fears transparency and is attempting to hide growing corruption in the state," former chief minister Jairam Thakur told ET.
"Congress leaders roam around the country with a copy of the Constitution. But when they come to power, they themselves disregard constitutional norms and public accountability," he added.
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