Thursday, December 1 2005 17:20 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: On Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's instructions, Government has decided to make public substantive file notings on plans, schemes, programmes and projects relating to development and social issues barring certain exemptions under the Right to Information Act, 2005.

The Prime Minister has instructed the Department of Personnel and Training to incorporate certain changes in the Rules under the Act in consultation with the Ministry of Justice, PM's Media Adviser Sanjaya Baru said in a statement.

A decision to this effect has been taken after considering various representations made by concerned citizens and taking into account all relevant factors, he said.

The exemptions would cover clauses under Section 8(1)(a) to (j) of the Act, he added.

However, the Principal Information Officer appointed under the Act may withhold the individual identity of the functionary who has made the notings, Baru said.

It has been decided, however, that file notings relating to identifiable individuals, group of individuals, organizations, appointments, matters relating to inquiries and departmental proceedings, shall not be disclosed, Baru added.