Indian citizens have the right to call, question, and power to hold accountable as every functioning democracy should facilitate. However, citizens in India were kept in the dark of the Government’s activities for a long time until the Right to Information Act was implemented. Rubbed off with simplicity, the RTI was the legislation that brought Indian Governance systems under the people’s recall.
No one needed to depend on journalists any longer, political promises, or speeches; vague or otherwise, thanks to RTI, citizens have legally recognized means to demand accountability and information regarding schemes. With a nominal fee and a detailed application, any Indian citizen can pose public money concerns. Decisions and reasoning queries, scheme delays, and conveniently shift the burden of justification to the government. This act drastically shifted the power balance for Indians enabling access to information surrounding spending of taxpayer money.
This RTI act is more empowering for the citizen’s unmatched claim of exposing untamed promises and revealing high-ranking corruption. From villagers asking for information on how the rations would be distributed to reporters exposing scams worth crores, RTI has served as the fundamental pillar of citizenship.
However, many people remain involuntarily ignorant of its potential and complexity. For some, even the mere idea of exercising such rights becomes a cumbersome activity owing to the administrative red tape, misinformation, or even intimidation.
That is why this blog aims to explain the RTI Act in easy-to-follow steps that appeal to diverse audiences. Be it students, activists, government servants, or inquisitive citizens, all will be ready to ask the pertinent questions and hold those in power to account.
Because, in a democracy, active participation and citizenship are essential. It should not be shrouded in secrecy it’s a citizen’s right to comprehend.
But what is the RTI Act, how can it be employed, and what places it on such a high pedestal of importance? Let's dive right into answering those questions.
What is the RTI Act?
In India, the RTI or Right to Information Act 2005 gives the right to every citizen of the country to access information regarding public authorities and their information. This act enforces information access within set time frames and seeks to promote informed citizens.
In particular, people can now ask:
* How public funds are utilized
* Government expenditure on public resources
* What actions have been implemented or not implemented
* How various planned policies/schemes are progressing?
Goals set forth by RTI Act
The primary goals set forth by RTI Act are:
* Informed and empowered citizens
* Increased accountability and transparency
* Reduction of corruption
* Active participation in democracy
RTI is a remarkable step toward making government more answerable which in turn, cements the principles of democratic governance.
What is Furthermore Available upon Request?
According to the RTI Act, one can request information that is:
* Found within documents or records such as emails, docs, memos, documents press releases, etc.
* Owned and controlled by public authorities
* Not containing anything from national security, personal privacy or other defined restrictions in section 8.
These are just a few examples of the information you can obtain:
* The current status of a government issued document such as a passport, license (RTO), revenue department etc.
* Allotment and spending’s of a Government School or Local body like Municipal Corporation, Panchayat, Police station, any other hospital, etc.…
* Information regarding the tendering processes and awarding of contracts.
* Regulations for the selection of government jobs or for government sponsored schemes.
* There is many more such information….
Steps in Filing an RTI Application
Contrary to popular belief, filing an RTI request is not difficult. Here’s what you need to do:
1. Draft Your Application
* Use non-legal jargon, neither formal nor too casual will not be accepted.
* Direct it to the PIO of the department concerned.
* Do quote your questions and answers which you seek to be unambiguous.
2. Submission of the Application
* Either submits it physically or through post.
* For departments at the central level, there is the RTI portal for submission of request electronically.
3. Payment of fee
* There is a small charge usually set at 20 rupees in the Indian currency.
* Those registered as BPL are not required to pay this fee.
4. Receive a Response
The authority is required to respond to within 30 days (2 days (48 hours) in case of life and liberty situations).
What are the Notifications and Why they are Important?
A section 8 and 9 of the Act outlines certain types of information which are exempt. These consist of the following:
* Information prejudicial to national security;
* Information that may impact foreign relations;
* Cabinet papers and its internal deliberations, including all papers (except for the decisions which have been made public)
* Personal information that is not of public interest.
An exemption can be disclosed if the public interest outweighs the harm.
What the Information Commission Sought to Achieve
In case of a public authority that does any of the following:
* Provides information that has been denied;
* Does not respond after a given period of 30 days;
* Gives a response that is unsatisfactory reply;
Then challenges can be made to the State or Central Information Commission. The Commission can:
* Issue orders for disclosure;
* Apply sanctions on officials;
* Suggest removal of certain responsibilities as a means to improve restructuring.
Complications in Execution
There are some fundamental hurdles for the enforcement of RTI which are:
Awareness: Large numbers are not familiar with how to go about exercising their rights including how to make requests under the Act.
Misuse and Abuse: Some individuals resort to using the RTI Act as a form of personal revenge or to bother officials for no valid reason.
Ineffective Record Management: The lack of sufficient record keeping in public authorities may serve as an impediment to fulfilling the information request.
Safety of Activists: The violence and harassment endured by RTI activists makes the issue of protection far more serious.
Final Thoughts
The Right to Information Act is one of the primary elements of democracy in which citizens voluntarily participate. It connects the government and citizenry of a nation as the government is bound to serve and work with the people.
When every citizen takes responsibility to ensure the RTI Act is used in a rational manner, then each individual becomes a sentinel of democracy; monitoring that democracy is not just a catchphrase but a fact on the ground.
Need an Answer from the Government?
Do not hold back; submit an RTI and receive the information that is your right.
FAQs
1. What are the key highlights of the RTI Act?
Key highlights include: trust, democracy, accountability and transparency.
2. What is the Right to Information Act 2005?
The RTI Act 2005 serves as a revolutionary statute that empowers citizens to access information possessed by government bodies.
3. Which scenario would justify the rejection of an RTI application?
Under section 8, RTI can be rejected if the application concerns the sovereignty, strategic, security, economic interests of the state.
4. What are the limitations of RTI?
The limitations are privacy concerns, and the exploitation of RTI for personal agendas.
The inspiration or idea for writing this blog originated from this source
- Right to Information (RTI) Act: Key Provisions, Challenges & Recommendations
- Right to Information
- Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005: A Critical Analysis
- Right to Information Act, 2005
