The Right to Information Act, a pivotal legislative measure, transcends the mere empowerment of citizens; it fundamentally reshapes the contours of accountability within a democratic framework. Enacted to foster transparency and democratize access to information, this legislation marks a paradigm shift in governance. Beyond conferring citizens the power to seek information, it serves as a potent instrument in redefining the relationship between the government and the governed. By compelling public authorities to disclose information, the Act instills a culture of answerability, transforming opacity into openness. Consequently, the accountability matrix extends beyond political entities to encompass bureaucrats, fostering a culture of responsible governance. The Act, thus, emerges not merely as a tool for citizens’ empowerment but as a cornerstone in the edifice of accountability, fostering a more informed and engaged citizenry while holding public institutions to a higher standard of transparency and responsibility.
Tag: Right to Information.
Decoding the Question:
- In Introduction, write in brief about the RTI Act.
- In Body,
- Mention the stakeholders involved.
- Discuss how this Act empowers citizens.
- Explain how it sets accountability.
- Conclude, by mentioning the importance and scope of improvement of the Act.
Answer:
Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The real Swaraj will come not by the acquisition of authority by a few, but by the acquisition of capacity by all to resist authority when abused”. In line with his idea of real swaraj, the Government of India had brought the RTI Act in 2005 to empower people for something as basic as seeking information about the development of the country.
The RTI Act is a powerful tool that strengthens democracy and promotes good governance by promoting transparency and accountability in administration. It empowers Indian citizens to seek information from a public authority, thus making the Government and its functionaries more accountable and responsible, enhancing the citizen’s ability to participate in the process.
Stakeholders in RTI
- The primary stakeholders in RTI are:
- the citizens of India;
- Public Authorities composed of Public Information Officers and the Appellate; and
- Central and State Information Commissions.
The RTI Act empowers citizens:
- Under the provisions of the Act, any citizen may request information from a “public authority” (a body of Government or “instrumentality of State”), which is required to reply within the stipulated time.
- The Act also requires each public authority to computerize their records for wide dissemination and publish proactively certain categories of information so that the citizens need minimum recourse to request for information formally.
- The Act is by Article 19 of the Constitution of India, which enables Indian citizens to exercise their Right of Speech and expression and as often interpreted by the Supreme Court the inalienable Right to receive and impart information.
- Moreover, it also spreads awareness among citizens and creates a culture of transparency. This makes aware of government functioning and empowers citizens.
In recent times, RTI has redefined the concept of accountability in the following ways:
- Monitors decision-making: The Act can be used to receive information on the decisions and steps taken by the government on various accounts. This helps in dealing with inapt actions that can be taken by officials. Example: RTI application asking the reason for selecting a particular site for constructing public office.
- Funds: Filing RTI also allows people to query about the funds utilized or spent by the government towards a respective objective. It helps prevent the mismanagement of public funds for unethical usage.
- Time-bound Implementation: Every decision of the government has to be taken in a time bound manner. But without proper monitoring such steps are very rare. RTI will force administration to take decisions within a given time period. Example: An application asking for the time needed for appointing teachers for a particular University.
- Legally Enforceable: Unlike some other provisions, RTI is legally enforceable. If a person is unable to get the desired information he/she can approach higher authority for obtaining the required information.
The RTI Act does not create a new bureaucracy for its implementation. Rather, it mandated the government or public servants to change their attitudes and duty from one of secrecy to one of openness. This Act also empowers every segment of the society by giving them the very right to demand and get information about government policies and actions. Presently, the RTI Act in India is passing through a critical phase, much more needs to be done to facilitate its growth and development.
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