After issuing an order exempting the Public (Law and Order) Department from the ambit of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, on the ground that it is an Intelligence and Security Organisation, the Vijay-led TVK government in Tamil Nadu has cancelled the move amid opposition criticism.
TVK Minister CTR Nirmal Kumar had pointed out that if the public is not happy with it, the matter maybe reconsidered.
“Government Order Ms.No 57 of Human Resources Management (R) department dated 21st September,2026, relating to exemption of the Public (Law and Order) Department under sub section (4) of section 24 of the RTI Act,2005, stands revoked,” the government said. “However, if general public expresses discomfort, we will take it to the Chief Minister for further action,” he had said.
“The freedom of expression will not get affected. As a Minister of DIPR, I myself will give necessary information to you (media). We also have to understand the Lakshman Rekha in freedom of expression. “The TVK government’s move to exempt the Public (Law and Order) Department from the RTI Act does not set a good precedent. It’s worth recalling that RTI was a landmark decision brought in by the Congress-led UPA government, intended to strengthen democratic accountability across India,” the Congress MP had complained.
Intentionally one should not twist data for the benefit of one specific party,” TVK Minister Raj Mohan said. Congress MP Karti Chidambaram pointed out that RTI was a landmark decision of the UPA government to strengthen “democratic accountability”.
