Transparency in Governance

The Second Administrative Reforms Commission has defined transparency as the “availability of information to the general public and clarity about the functioning of governmental institutions.” According to Vishwanath and Kaufmann (1999), transparency refers to the “increased flow of timely and reliable information, which is accessible to all relevant stakeholders.” This view not only stresses the availability of information but also highlights the importance of its reliability and accessibility.

Evolution of Transparency and Right to Information

• Resolution 59 of the UN General Assembly in 1946 recognized Freedom of Student Notes as part of the fundamental right of freedom of expression.
• The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966) and the American Convention on Human Rights (1969) also recognized the Right to Information.
• In 1982, the Supreme Court Case in Mr. Kulwal v/s Jaipur Municipal Corporation emphasized the importance of Right to Information for citizens to fully use their freedom of speech and expression.
• MKSS (Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan), a grassroots organization led by activists Aruna Roy and Nikhil Dey, started the movement of Right to Information regarding development projects in rural Rajasthan.
• NCPRI (National Campaign for People’s Right to Information) was formed in 1995 with an objective of getting the legislation on Right to Information passed.
• Tamil Nadu was the first state to enact RTI legislation in 1997, and Rajasthan enacted the Right to Information Act in 2000.
• The RTI Act 2005 provided a legal framework for the working of Right to Information and addressed some of the lacunae in the previous legislation.

Relevance of Tranparency and Information Sharing

• Transparency and information sharing play a crucial role in promoting probity and ethical governance by making the decision-making process visible and accountable to the public.
• It enables citizens to hold public officials accountable for their actions and promotes trust and credibility in government institutions.
• It also helps in preventing corruption, as public officials are more likely to act in an ethical manner when their actions are open to public scrutiny.
• Transparency and information sharing are also essential for effective policymaking, as it allows policymakers to make informed decisions based on accurate and reliable information.
• It promotes a culture of openness and dialogue, which is essential for building strong democratic institutions and promoting public participation in the decision-making process.
• Access to information is also recognized as a fundamental right by international conventions, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the American Convention on Human Rights.
• The Right to Information Act, 2005 in India provides a legal framework for citizens to access information held by public authorities, further strengthening transparency and information sharing in governance.
• In a transparent governance system, decision-making criteria, procedures, and systems are openly known to everyone, and information sharing is vital for achieving transparency.
• Thus, transparent information sharing also motivates citizens to exercise their “voice power,” which refers to their ability to pressure frontline officials to ensure effective service delivery.