The original RTI Act was constituted in 2005 to ensure that citizens are provided with information on any matter of concern, administrative or otherwise, within a period of 30 days. Critics believe that altering two crucial sections of the law, as envisioned by the amendment bill, could compromise its effectiveness.

A proposed amendment to Section 13 of the RTI Act seeks to empower the government to decide the term of the Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners, as opposed to the original term of five years or until the age of 65 (whichever comes sooner). Another condition aims to give the government control over their salaries, allowances and other terms of service.

The amendment to Section 16 of the RTI Act aims to make similar changes for state-level Chief Information Commissioners and Information Commissioners. Also in the mix is a provision by the government to make rules.

Opposition parties argue that authorising the government to take a call on the employment and payscale of the RTI authorities will only end up taking away their independence. Terming the amendment as the "RTI Elimination Bill", they have claimed that even honest officials will stop disclosing sensitive information if their job and salaries are at stake.