Bring Ram Janmabhoomi Trust within RTI purview: CPI(M) leader John Brittas

📌 Summary:

• CPI(M) Rajya Sabha leader John Brittas urged the government to bring the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust within the purview of the RTI Act
• He argued the Trust cannot be treated as "autonomous" and kept outside RTI because: (a) it was constituted through a government-approved scheme; (b) it holds land acquired under a parliamentary law; (c) serving IAS officers are nominated as government representatives in its governing framework
• In a letter to Home Minister Amit Shah, he urged the government to revisit its stance
• Core argument: Trusts enjoying "unparalleled public faith" must uphold the highest standards of public transparency and accountability
• Context: the demand follows a controversy over alleged donation "theft/misappropriation" at the Ram temple

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS2 (Governance – Transparency & Accountability; RTI) — tests the definition of a "public authority" under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act and the balance between religious-body autonomy and public accountability

📝 Prelims Facts:

• RTI Act, 2005 defines a "public authority" under Section 2(h), including bodies substantially financed or controlled by government
• Body in question: Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust

🔑 Key Term: Public authority (RTI) — any body established/constituted by or under law, or substantially financed/controlled by the appropriate government, which is answerable under the RTI Act