WHAT IS The RIGHT TO INFORMATION?
The RTI Act of 2005 contends in Section 2(j) that the “right to information” is defined as the following: “(i) the right to inspect work, documents, and records; (ii) the right to take notes, extracts, or certified copies of documents or records; (iii) the right to take certified samples of material; (iv) the right to obtain information in the form of diskettes, floppies, tapes, video cassettes, or in any other electronic mode or through printouts where such information is stored in a computer or in any other device.”
How does it function?
The 2005 Right to Information Act fosters a cooperative relationship between the people and their government. Because there were no checks on public officials’ services, in the past, when a crisis occurred, they became more focused on being superiors than on serving the public. However, the RTI Act offers a tightrope option to return public officers to a service-oriented mind set. The RTI Act has given the public the right to access information on public authorities, which has caused a fear of disclosing the public servant’s motivations. As a result, public officers are becoming less resolute in their performance of their tasks.
The Right to Information Act of 2005 has a role in good governance since it enhances government performance and accountability. The statute makes it easier for the public to get information from governmental offices.
It is necessary to preserve minute data for any type of administrative action or quasi-judicial ruling made by any public agency. Public offices and time can provide that information to the broader public or impacted parties. Act values individuals’ involvement in the decision-making process as well. The general public, NGOs, and institutions have the right to information about government programs, plans, projects, and the distribution of finances and resources in both rural and urban regions.
The organization gains knowledge about societal issues and potential remedies with the use of those data from social welfare and NGOs. Act helps to lessen corruption in public offices by prohibiting public officers from abusing their official power or using funds for personal gain.
The cornerstone of good governance is participation, which includes both male and female participation. The right to information and administrative transparency are powerful tools for this purpose.
Representative democracy requires consideration for all societal segments, particularly the most marginalized ones. It does not imply the rule of a select few. People may challenge choices and contribute daily, not just once every five years, according to the Right to Information Act. The Right to Information Act empowers the general public to engage in government, lessening the disparity in power dynamics, offering a means of resisting injustice and fostering a communal mindset that makes democracy beneficial to all.
Additionally, the Right to Information Act guarantees public involvement in local development and governance initiatives and strengthens grassroots democracy.
- Accessibility: Information from government agencies, records, papers, services, finances, and policies are easily accessible to all segments of the community thanks to the right to information. By making information easily accessible, the Right to Information Act shortens the historically wide gap between the public and the government, aiding in the process of developing a country.
- Transparency: The cornerstone of sound government is transparency. Transparency refers to the following of laws and regulations in the making of decisions and their implementation. It also implies that everyone who stands to gain from such decisions and their implementation may obtain information readily and immediately. Accountability and transparency are only feasible when information is available to the general public. The Right to Information Act of 2005 gave citizens the ability to request information from any government agency within a set amount of time. The goal of the Right to Information Act is to increase government accountability and openness by opening up the decision-making process.
- Accountability: Another essential component of successful governance is accountability. The public should hold private sector organizations just as accountable as the government. Since information is power, the Right to Information Act increases administrative accountability and openness. People now have a way to obtain information thanks to the Right to Information Act, which they may use to hold the government responsible or to find out why choices were made, by whom, and with what results. But without openness and the rule of law, accountability is impossible to attain.
- Empowerment: Prior to the passage of the Right to Information Act, only Indians were allowed to participate in political and economic processes or exercise their right to informed consent. Commoners are therefore oblivious to different programs and unable to oppose when their rights are subjugated.
- Equity and inclusivity: Another important aspect of sound governance is equity. It suggests that everyone participates in governance and doesn’t feel cut off from society at large. The Right to Information Act applies to all Indian people and does not discriminate based on wealth or poverty. It always steps up to combat injustice, inequity, and inhumane behaviour
CONCLUSION:
Since RTI should be viewed as a benchmark for government, it needs to be carefully examined for effec
