The Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) on Sunday sharply criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government for undermining transparency and weakening democratic institutions.
Speaking at a press conference held at Congress Bhavan, TPCC President Ashish Kumar Saha accused the BJP of widespread corruption and failure to ensure transparency in welfare schemes.
He emphasized the importance of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, enacted in 2005 during the UPA government, as a vital tool for citizen empowerment.
Saha alleged that since 2014, the RTI framework has been systematically diluted through amendments that undermine the autonomy of Information Commissions and expand exemptions under the pretext of protecting personal data. Highlighting the current state of the system, he cited over 4 lakh pending RTI appeals nationwide and noted that the Central Information Commission is severely understaffed, with only two commissioners currently in office.
The Congress leader also raised concerns about the opacity surrounding key public initiatives, including the PM CARES Fund, electoral bonds, and COVID-related expenditures. He condemned the delay in implementing the Whistle Blowers Protection Act and called for urgent reforms, including restoring the independence of Information Commissions, filling vacancies, and ensuring the safety of RTI activists.
On the 20th anniversary of the RTI Act, Saha reiterated the Congress party’s commitment to transparency and democratic accountability, urging the government to uphold the principles of openness and public scrutiny.
