Freedom of Information act, 2002

Chief Ministers Conference on "Effective and Responsive Government was held on 24th May, 1997 at New Delhi wherein the need to enact a law on right to information was recognised unanimously. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs in its 38th Report recommended that the Government should take measures for the enactment of such a legislation. In order to make the Government more transparent, and accountable to the public, the Government of India appointed a Working Group on Right to Information and Promotion of Open and Transparent Government. The Working Group was asked to examine the feasibility and need for either full-fledged Right to Information Act or its introduction in a phased manner to meet the needs of open and responsive governance. The Working Group submitted its report along with a draft Freedom of Information Bill to the Government. The Draft Bill was subsequently deliberated by the Group of Ministers to ensure that the flow of information was available to the public, while, inter alia, protecting the national interest, sovereignty and integrity of India. On the final outcome of the deliberations of the Group of Ministers the Freedom of Information Bill, was introduced in the Parliament.