Vijay's TVK govt exempts Public (Law and Order) Department from the RTI Act in Tamil Nadu
- On Sunday, the Tamil Nadu government issued an order exempting the Public Department from the RTI Act, classifying it as an Intelligence and Security Organisation.
- Human Resources Management Department formalized the exemption through a Government Gazette notification under Section 24 of the RTI Act, which permits such exclusions.
- Public Department responsibilities include managing communal clashes, COFEPOSA and NSA detentions, and coordinating habeas corpus petitions in the High Court and Supreme Court.
- By exempting this department, Joseph Vijay-led TVK government limits public access to information, despite the RTI Act's original purpose of promoting transparency and accountability.
- Oversight of sensitive matters—including police custody death inquiries and monthly reports to India—now falls outside public scrutiny, raising questions about balancing security with transparency.
25 Articles
25 Articles
Tamil Nadu government withdraws RTI exemption for Law and Order Department amid criticism
The government had initially issued the exemption under Section 24(4) of the RTI Act, classifying the Public (Law and Order) Department as an Intelligence and Security Organisation.
Tamil Nadu Govt Revokes RTI Exemption for Public (Law and Order) Department After Backlash
Get latest articles and stories on India at LatestLY. The original order had classified the department as an Intelligence and Security Organisation. That meant information on communal incidents, political agitations, police custody deaths, and other law-and-order matters could be publicly accessible through RTI applications. India News | Tamil Nadu Govt Revokes RTI Exemption for Public (Law and Order) Department After Backlash.
Backlash forces Vijay's TVK government to withdraw RTI exemption for Law and Order department
In its previous order dated September 21, the Tamil Nadu government had exempted the Public (Law and Order) Department from the RTI Act. However, it caused a row in the state, with the DMK and the CPI(M), urging the TVK government to withdraw the move.
Tamil Nadu revokes controversial order exempting Law and Order dept from RTI Act after backlash
The swift reversal comes after the initial move by the TVK-led state administration triggered a political storm, drawing sharp criticism from alliance partners — the Congress and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK).
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