Government likely to dilute Whistleblowers Bill: Sources

New Delhi: A possible setback may be on the cards for anti-corruption whistleblowers in the country. The government is likely to dilute the Whistleblowers' Bill by moving amendments that will empower government officials to not disclose documents of a sensitive nature.

Sources say that the government is planning to move a Cabinet note to make changes in the Bill which is currently held up in the Rajya Sabha.

The Cabinet is likely to propose:

The government is likely to move amendments that will empower its officials to not disclose information of a sensitive nature.

- that no information be given out by whistleblowers in matters where national security or the sovereignty and integrity of India would be affected.

- that Cabinet meeting proceedings are not made public and

- that whistleblowers do not disclose information that could lead to a contempt of court charge or affect the proceedings in court.

Several political parties had raised objections to the Whistleblowers' Bill saying that while it protected the whistleblowers, it victimised the officials.

The new changed bill is likely to be taken up once again in the Monsoon Session of Parliament.

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