The Hindu Business Line : Commission moots repeal of Official Secrets Act

The second Administrative Reforms Commission has recommended the repeal of the Official Secrets Act, 1923 (OSA), stating that the legislation in its current form was "incongruous" with the regime of transparency in a democratic society.

This recommendation forms part of the Commission's first report on `Right to Information - Master Key to good governance'.

The Chairman, Mr Veerappa Moily, submitted the report to the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, today.

While recommending repeal of the OSA, the Commission also said that suitable safeguards to protect security of State be incorporated in the National Security Act.

The Commission added that at least half the members of the Information Commission should be drawn from non-civil service background, so that the members represent the rich variety and varied experience in society.

The report has suggested that complete reorganisation of public records is a precondition for effective implementation of right to information (RTI).

Moreover, a public records office should be established in each State as a repository of expertise to monitor, supervise, control, and inspect all public records.

An official release said that the Commission has suggested that one per cent of the funds of all flagship programmes of the Central Government be earmarked for five years for updating all records and building necessary infrastructure.