Security to be factored into Whistleblowers Act

Aspects related to national security and sovereignty are set to be taken out of the ambit of the Whistleblowers’ Protection Act, which provides a mechanism for protecting the identity of those who expose corruption.

The Act was part of a bouquet of legislations brought by the previous UPA government to check corruption but its implementation had been put on hold by the Modi government for removing issues related to national security and sovereignty.

Amendments to the law, enacted in May last, are expected to be taken up by the Union Cabinet soon, sources said here on Thursday.

The Act was passed by the Lok Sabha in 2011 but the Rajya Sabha could clear it only on February 21 last year.

The Presidential assent to it was given in May last. The issue of safeguarding information on national security was first raised by the BJP when the then Minister of State for Personnel V. Narayanasamy had tabled the Bill in Rajya Sabha. — PTI

Source - The Hindu