Right to Information Act
The Right to information is right to democracy. A democracy cannot function efficiently or justly without complete transparency and accountability. For this very reason, the right to information act was passed on the 13th of October 2005.
Under the purview of this act, each citizen has the right to ask any public authority about any information regarding its administrative and quasi-judicial decisions in any form as long as it does not jeopardize national interest or is expressly forbidden to be disclosed, or the disclosure would be considered as a contempt of court and other things of similar importance.
Later on, similar legislative mechanisms were also created to strengthen the functioning of RTI. As an example, Whistle-blower protection act to protect anyone who exposes alleged wrongdoing in government bodies; Grievance redressal bill to ensure that the failure of delivery of the required RTI information would lead to action against government officials, leading to assurance of quality of services.
Ever since the RTI act has come into existence, numerous scandals have been exposed, and a lot of public authorities have started sharing information voluntarily. Yet there are few challenges that it has faced. For example, it is difficult for the common man to file it because for one, the apathy of the government officials, and secondarily, the requirement of a demand draft, and the low rate of disposal of cases. But yes, the government is trying as of recently to improve the procedure for smoother transitioning, notwithstanding which, it is apparent that RTI has empowered the citizens.
Under the purview of this act, each citizen has the right to ask any public authority about any information regarding its administrative and quasi-judicial decisions in any form as long as it does not jeopardize national interest or is expressly forbidden to be disclosed, or the disclosure would be considered as a contempt of court and other things of similar importance.
Later on, similar legislative mechanisms were also created to strengthen the functioning of RTI. As an example, Whistle-blower protection act to protect anyone who exposes alleged wrongdoing in government bodies; Grievance redressal bill to ensure that the failure of delivery of the required RTI information would lead to action against government officials, leading to assurance of quality of services.
Ever since the RTI act has come into existence, numerous scandals have been exposed, and a lot of public authorities have started sharing information voluntarily. Yet there are few challenges that it has faced. For example, it is difficult for the common man to file it because for one, the apathy of the government officials, and secondarily, the requirement of a demand draft, and the low rate of disposal of cases. But yes, the government is trying as of recently to improve the procedure for smoother transitioning, notwithstanding which, it is apparent that RTI has empowered the citizens.
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