NEW DELHI, May 22: The working group on Right to Information and Promotion of Open and Transparent Government, has recommended that important amendments be made to the Official Secrets Act, Indian Evidence Act and the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules.

These acts have so far affected the availability of information to the public.

The report of the working group was presented yesterday by its chairman H D Shourie to the Cabinet Secretary T S R Subramaniam. The group suggested amendments to Section Five of the Official Secrets Act, 1923, Sections 123 and 124 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, and Rule 11 of the Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964.The group recommended the streamlining of the system of classification followed by the government. It suggested that only information that deserved classification should be classified. The group prepared a draft Freedom of Information Bill also.

Besides Shourie, the other members of the group included advocate and former Attorney General Soli J Sorabjee and representatives from major ministries and departments.

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