No need to amend RTI Act: Moily

Union Minister M Veerappa Moily today disfavoured any amendment to the Right to Information Act, but cautioned that it should not be used as an instrument of "blackmail for vested interests or agendas of political parties".

"There is no need to amend the RTI Act or its provisions even though there are inbuilt weaknesses in it," Moily said here on the sidelines of an interactive session at the Indian Chamber of Commerce.

"There can be a debate on it, but that does not mean it should be amended. We want people to enjoy the right offered by the Act," he added.

The Corporate Affairs Minister, however, cautioned that the RTI Act should not be misused by vested interests.

"While empowering citizens with transparency, it should not be used as an instrument of oppression or as an instrument for blackmail for vested interests or agendas of political parties," he said.

Significantly, the minister had recently observed that the RTI Act was "transgressing into government functioning".