No plan to amend RTI Act: Narayanasamy

There was "no plan" to amend Right to Information (RTI) Act, Union Minister V Narayanasamy on Friday said, asserting that the Centre was taking various measures to ensure transparent governance.

Addressing a conference here, Narayanasamy also said there was a need to protect whistle blowers exposing corruption in governance.

"There was a need to protect the persons making a public interest disclosure related to an act of corruption. With this objective in mind, the Whistle Blowers Protection Bill,2011 is being enacted," the Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions said.

He said the government has taken a number of initiatives to ensure transparent administration.

Inaugurating the two-day District Collectors' conference, Narayanasamy said there were several legislations at various stages of enactment aimed at addressing the menace of corruption and ensuring transparency.

Narayanasamy stated that 'the Right of Citizens for Time Bound Delivery of Goods and Services and Redressal of their Grievances Bill,2011' will enable citizens to get digital services within the stated time lines.

He said the 'Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, 2011' provides for appointment of ombudsmen to inquire into complaints of corruption against certain public servants.

The minister highlighted the role of the Right to Information Act (RTI) in enabling the citizens to get information.

"The minister made it clear that there was no plan to amend the RTI Act at present," an official press release quoted Narayanasamy as saying.

The minister said the Public Procurement Bill, 2011, now in Parliament, shall regulate public procurement by all government bodies to ensure transparency and promote competition.

Terming the District Collectors as the nucleus of the administration, the minister appreciated the critical role that the collector plays in implementing the central schemes in their respective jurisdictions.

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