The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved amendments in the Whistle Blowers Protection Act to strengthen safeguards against disclosures affecting "sovereignty and integrity of the country, security of the State." The amendments are expected to be tabled in Parliament in coming days.
"This is being done with a view to incorporate necessary provisions aimed at strengthening safeguards against disclosures which may prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of the country, security of the State, etc.
"The amendments would address concerns relating to national security. This would strengthen the safeguards against disclosures which may prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of the country, security, strategic, scientific or economic interest of the State, relations with a foreign State or leads to incitement of an offence. Safeguard have also been provided in respect of such disclosures which have been exempted under section 8(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005," said the Government communiqué.
The new amendments are expected to be in tune with the provisions of the Official Secrets Act which guards against any sort of disclosure related to security and sovereignty of country. The lok Sabha passed the Bill in 2011 and was passed by the Rajya Sabha in February 2014. The Bill received the Presidential assent on May 9, 2014.