Kerala govt shields vigilance bureau units from RTI, opposes claims of transparency

Kerala’s UDF administration has removed two categories of the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti‑Corruption Bureau from the reach of the Right to Information (RTI) law, prompting a sharp rebuke from opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday.

What Happened

The government announced that the T‑section and U‑section of the vigilance directorate will no longer be subject to RTI requests. This exemption means citizens cannot obtain documents or inquiries related to those parts of the bureau.

Reaction

Pinarayi Vijayan, the state’s Leader of Opposition, said the move shows the UDF trying to hide corruption. He accused the ruling coalition of choking access to information to protect itself. Vijayan added that the Congress party, which now leads the opposition, once championed the RTI Act but is now trying to undermine the very law it helped create.

Background

The RTI Act was passed during the UPA government after persistent pressure from Left parties, including the Kerala unit of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). The legislation was intended to expose misuse of power and promote accountability.

Context

Vijayan’s criticism suggests that the Congress leadership in Kerala fears the Act could reveal a pattern of irregularities. The exemption could set a precedent for other agencies to seek similar relief, potentially weakening the transparency framework in the state.