1. Both the writ appeals, at the instance of the State, are directed against the common order dismissing the writ petitions.

2. The factual matrix leading to the filing of the writ petitions and the writ appeals are as follows. The Government of Tamil Nadu issued G.O.Ms.No.158, Personnel and Administrative Reforms (N) Department dated 26.8.2008 specifying that the provisions of the Right to Information Act, 2005 (hereinafter referred to as "the Act") shall not apply to the Tamil Nadu State Vigilance Commission and Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption organizations. It also issued a notification to the said effect in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette in exercise of the powers conferred under sub-section (4) of Section 24 of the said Act. Thereafter, a press release was issued by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Chennai vide Press Release No.786 dated 23.9.2008 to the effect that the exemption has been given to the Department of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption only considering the fact that even before the investigation is completed in a case and even before a decision is taken by the Government to proceed further, furnishing information to an applic