Question : MISUSE OF RTI ACT

(a) whether several instances have come to the notices of the Government regarding misuse of the information obtained under the RTI Act, by the people to settle their personal and business rivalry and if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;

(b) whether common people are being harassed and subjected to blackmail by the disgruntled elements sometimes even misusing the media to obtain personal gains in this regard;

(c) if so, the details thereof during the last three years; and

(d) the steps taken/being contemplated to stop the misuse of information obtained under RTI Act?

Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office. (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

(a) to (c): Some concerns have been reported in the media that RTI is being misused. Hon’ble Supreme Court has also suggested in Civil Appeal No. 6454 of 2011 (Central Board of Secondary Education Vs. Aditya Bandhopadhyay and Others) that the Act should not be allowed to be converted into a tool of oppression or intimidation of honest officials striving to do their duty.

(d): Right to Information Act has enough provisions to deny access to information which may harm personal interests.