Transperancy & Accountabiliy

People’s Participation

The RTI Act is a fundamental right for every Indian citizen as this Act was passed in order to consolidate the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression as provided under Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian constitution. But the government does not emphasize making people aware and educating about their right to access information which is an important right for a country like India. The Act also appears to strengthen the controlling role of the government official who retains extensive discretionary powers to withhold information. However, it is widely accepted by every citizen that restrictions on information relating to security, foreign policy, law enforcement, and public safety are to be kept out of disclosure to everyone. The Act needs proper review considering the current scenario and the parliament must take steps to fix the loopholes of the Act as observed and discussed thus far. The Right to Information Act empowers the ordinary citizen in a very radical way. However, to be truly effective in ensuring greater transparency and probity in public life, the legislation needs to be used responsibly and judiciously by the public, the respective information commissions and the concerned government departments.