(a) whether the attention of the Government have been drawn to the criticism on the exemption clause of Freedom of Information Act that exceeds the list of reasonable restrictions provided in the Clauses (2) to (6) of Art. 19 of the Constitution;
(b) if so, the reaction of the Government in this regard; and
(c) the reasons for excluding the private and voluntary sectors from the duty to provide information pertaining to the public?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS. (SHRI HARIN PATHAK)
(a): Yes, Sir.
(b): The exemptions contained in section 8 of the `Freedom of Information Act, 2002` are in accord with Article 19 of the Constitution of India.
(c): The basic object of the Act is to promote openness, transparency and accountability of the Government to the public and to facilitate a fuller and more meaningful participation of the people in the governance. As such, the ambit of the Act does not extend to the private and voluntary sectors.