"Right to Information: A Tool for Good Governance" suitable

Right to Information: A Tool for Good Governance

Introduction

Good governance is the backbone of any thriving democracy. It ensures that government
decisions are transparent, inclusive, accountable, and responsive to the needs of the people. One
of the most significant legal tools that empowers citizens to demand good governance in India is
the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005. This Act marked a turning point in India's democratic
journey by legally empowering the common citizen to seek information from public authorities.
By enabling transparency and accountability in governance, the RTI Act has become a vital
mechanism to strengthen democratic values and improve public administration.

Meaning and Scope of Right to Information

The Right to Information (RTI) is a legal right granted to every citizen of India under the RTI Act,
2005. It allows citizens to request information from any public authority, including government
departments, public sector undertakings, and bodies substantially financed by the government.
The public authority is obligated to respond within 30 days (48 hours in life and liberty cases),
failing which penalties may be imposed.

The Act covers a wide range of institutions — from the President's office to village panchayats —
and includes records, documents, memos, emails, opinions, reports, and data maintained in
electronic form.

RTI and the Constitution of India

The foundation of the RTI lies in Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the
right to freedom of speech and expression. The Supreme Court has consistently held that the
right to know and access information is an essential part of free speech. A well-informed
citizenry is crucial for making effective decisions, participating in democratic processes, and
holding public officials accountable.

Objectives of the RTI Act

The RTI Act was enacted with several key objectives:

1. Promote Transparency and Openness in the functioning of the government.

2. Combat Corruption by exposing inefficiencies and irregularities in public offices.

3. Empower Citizens by enabling them to become informed participants in governance.

4. Enhance Accountability of public servants and decision-makers.

5. Strengthen Democracy by creating a government that is answerable to the people.

Good governance comprises core principles such as transparency, accountability, participation,

1. Transparency

The RTI Act breaks the traditional culture of secrecy in government institutions. By allowing
citizens to access information, it helps in uncovering hidden facts, decisions, and procedures
that affect the public.

2. Accountability

Through RTI, public officials can be questioned for their decisions and actions. This creates a
system where negligence, corruption, or inefficiency can be reported and corrected.

3. Public Participation

RTI helps citizens understand how and why decisions are taken. With this information, people
can participate more meaningfully in decision-making processes, especially in local governance,
budgeting, and planning.

4. Responsiveness

The obligation to respond to queries under RTI forces government departments to be more
responsive, improve service delivery, and maintain proper records.

5. Rule of Law

The RTI Act ensures that all government actions are legally and procedurally correct. It upholds
the principles of justice and fairness in administration.

Impact of RTI in India

Since its enactment, the RTI Act has had a profound impact on Indian governance and civil
society:

Exposing Corruption: Many high-profile scams such as the Adarsh Housing Scam, 2G spectrum
case, Commonwealth Games scam, and irregularities in MNREGA implementation came to light
through RTI applications.

Improved Service Delivery: Citizens have used RTI to resolve issues related to ration cards,
pensions, PF claims, and school admissions.

Empowering the Poor and Marginalized: RTI has become a powerful voice for the poor, tribals,
Dalits, and rural populations who earlier had no means to question the authorities.

Increased Accountability in Local Governance: RTI has been effectively used in panchayats,
municipal offices, and government schools to reveal irregularities in fund allocation and scheme
implementation.
Strengthening Civil Society and Journalism: RTI has become a key investigative tool for
journalists, NGOs, and social activists who strive to keep governance clean and transparent.

Success Stories

Shehla Masood (Madhya Pradesh): She exposed irregularities in forest and mining departments
through RTI and brought public attention to illegal activities.

Aruna Roy and the MKSS (Rajasthan): Used RTI to demand answers on village-level expenses
and wages under government schemes, eventually leading to mass movements for transparency.

A Common Citizen: In many cases, villagers and slum dwellers have retrieved delayed pension
benefits, school mid-day meals, and job card details under the MNREGA, simply by filing an RTI.

Challenges Facing the RTI Act

Despite its success, RTI faces serious challenges:

Lack of Awareness: A large section of the population is unaware of their RTI rights.

Delay in Responses: Many departments do not respond within the stipulated 30 days, causing
frustration.

Threats to Activists: RTI activists have been harassed, attacked, and even murdered for exposing
corruption. Over 90 RTI activists have lost their lives since 2005.

Dilution of the Act: Amendments in 2019 gave the central government power to decide the tenure
and salaries of Information Commissioners, threatening their independence.

Poor Record Maintenance: Many public offices lack organized documentation, making it difficult
to share information.

Recommendations for Improvement

1. Increase Awareness Campaigns to educate citizens about their rights.

2. Digitization of Records to ensure faster and more efficient access to information.

3. Strengthen Protection Mechanisms for RTI users and whistleblowers.

4. Ensure Independence of Information Commissions for unbiased decisions.

5. Training of Public Officials to understand their responsibilities under the Act.

Conclusion

The Right to Information is not just a legal tool, but a democratic necessity. It empowers citizens
to hold the government accountable and encourages transparency, thus playing a vital role in
promoting good governance. As a watchdog of democracy, RTI ensures that the government
serves the people and not the other way around. For a democracy like India to thrive, the RTI Act
must be protected, strengthened, and fully utilized. Informed citizens are empowered citizens—
and empowered citizens are the greatest asset of a democratic nation