Significant Changes Due to Amendments in Anti-Terror Law and Right to Information Act (2019)

**1. Anti-Terror Law Amendments:

• Enhancement of Powers: The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) was amended to expand the definition of terrorist acts and include individuals as terrorists, not just organizations. This change aims to enhance the government’s ability to address terrorism more effectively.
• Designating Individuals: The amendment allows the Central Government to designate individuals as terrorists, not just organizations. For instance, Masood Azhar was listed under this provision, reflecting its use in targeting individuals associated with terrorism.
• Forfeiture of Property: The amendment also includes provisions for the forfeiture of property belonging to individuals involved in terrorism, aiming to cut off financial resources for terrorists.

**2. Right to Information (RTI) Act Amendments:

• Term of Information Commissioners: The amendments grant the Central Government the power to determine the tenure and salaries of the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) and Information Commissioners, leading to concerns about their independence. Previously, these terms were fixed.
• Control over Salaries: The government can now set the salaries and allowances for the CIC and Information Commissioners, which might affect their operational autonomy.

**3. Analysis:

• Anti-Terror Law: The changes are intended to strengthen the fight against terrorism but have been criticized for potentially infringing on civil liberties and leading to misuse.
• RTI Act: The amendments could impact the independence of the RTI mechanism, raising concerns about transparency and accountability in governance.

Conclusion: The 2019 amendments to the anti-terror law and RTI Act aim to enhance counter-terrorism measures and regulate information access, respectively. However, they have sparked debates about civil liberties and the effectiveness of transparency mechanisms.