SC pulls up Centre for failing to respond on plea against RTI amendments

'What is wrong with you? It is a very important matter,' a bench asked the Centre's counsel for not responding to the plea by Jairam Ramesh

The Supreme Court on Monday pulled up the Union government for failing to file its response to a plea by Congress leader Jairam Ramesh challenging amendments made in the Right to Information Act.

"What is wrong with you? It is a very important matter," a bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and M R Shah asked a central government counsel who sought further time to file the response in the matter.

The court pointed out that the notice was issued in January 2020.

"It has been a year. How have you not filed a reply yet," the bench wondered as the bench sought one or two weeks further time.

At his request, the court finally gave two weeks time to file the affidavit.

Ramesh alleged that the amendments diluted powers of the transparency panel by giving power to the Union government to decide the salary and tenure of the Information Commissioners.

Advocate Sunil Fernandes appeared for Ramesh.