T.N. Rescinds G.O. Exempting Public Dept. From RTI Act, Pg1

Key Highlights:

• The Tamil Nadu government rescinded a Government Order (G.O.) that had exempted its Public (Law and Order) Department from the ambit of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005.
• The G.O., dated September 21, 2026, was issued by the Human Resources Management Department under Section 24(4) of the RTI Act.
• The initial justification for the exemption was that the department functions as an intelligence and security organization.
• The withdrawal followed significant backlash from various political parties and activists.
• Minister for Energy Resources and Law C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar announced the decision to withdraw the controversial order.

Detailed Insights:

• The Public (Law and Order) Department handles sensitive matters such as communal and caste clashes, and inquiries into police actions.
• It also oversees issues related to detentions under COFEPOSA and the National Security Act (NSA).
• The department is responsible for examining reports concerning deaths in police custody and instances of police torture.
• The initial defense by the Minister suggested that only specific sensitive information, like details of communal clashes, was intended for exemption.
• The swift withdrawal highlights the strong public and political demand for transparency and accountability in government functioning.
• The department also deals with references from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) concerning law and order matters.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005: A parliamentary act that empowers citizens to access information from public authorities, promoting transparency and accountability.
• Government Order (G.O.): A formal directive or instruction issued by a government department or authority.
• COFEPOSA: The Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act, 1974, an act to prevent smuggling and conserve foreign exchange.
• National Security Act (NSA): An act that allows the central or state government to detain individuals to prevent them from acting in any manner prejudicial to the security of India.
• National Human Rights Commission (NHRC): A statutory body established in 1993 for the protection and promotion of human rights in India.