GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

Detailed explanation-1: -The 2019 amendment bill amended section 13 and section 16 of the RTI Act, 2005. fixed to 5 years or until the age of 65 years whichever is earlier. However, the newly amended bill empowers the Central Government to prescribe the term of office for the commissioners as it may deem fit to the government.

Detailed explanation-2: -Right to Information (Amendment) Act, 2019: It provided that the Chief Information Commissioner and an Information Commissioner (of Centre as well as States) shall hold office for such term as prescribed by the Central Government. Before this amendment, their term was fixed for 5 years.

Detailed explanation-3: -Rajya Sabha passes RTI Amendment Bill, 2019. After being passed in Lok Sabha recently, the RTI Amendment Bill, 2019 was passed by the Rajya Sabha today. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Jitendra Singh said that there is no motivation to curtail the independence of the RTI Act.

Detailed explanation-4: -The Right to Information (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was introduced in Lok Sabha by the Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Mr. Jitendra Singh, on July 19, 2019.

Detailed explanation-5: -(1) The State Chief Information Commissioner shall hold office for a term of five years from the date on which he enters upon his office and shall not be eligible for reappointment: Provided that no State Chief Information Commissioner shall hold office as such after he has attained the age of sixty‑five years.