Odisha government has decided to keep the state vigilance wing outside the purview of the Right to Information Act. The Information and Public Relations Department issued a notification in this regard under the powers conferred by sub-section (4) of the Section 24 of the RTI Act.
The notification said that the state government do hear by specify that nothing contained in the said Act shall apply to the General Administration (Vigilance) department and its organisation. RTI campaigners allege the action of the Odisha government is blatant subversion of the RTI Act, which stands for transparency.
Former Odisha Information Commissioner said there are enough provisions in the existing RTI law not to disclose sensitive and on-going probe information. However, a complete curb on the release of information through RTI will create an unhealthy example. He said many things will not come to the fore now.