The Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, marks a transformative moment in Indian democracy, fostering transparency, accountability, and citizen empowerment. By legally mandating the public’s access to government-held information, the RTI Act has significantly reshaped governance and public administration.
The Genesis of the RTI Act
The RTI movement in India stemmed from grassroots efforts, particularly the struggles of the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS) in Rajasthan during the early 1990s. Their campaign highlighted corruption in the disbursement of wages under public works programs and demanded transparency in government records. The movement gained momentum, with civil society, media, and judiciary playing pivotal roles in advocating for a statutory framework.
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government introduced the Freedom of Information Act, 2002. However, this law was criticized for being ineffective due to several exemptions and lack of enforcement mechanisms. In response to growing public demand, the subsequent United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government enacted the RTI Act in 2005. The legislation came into effect on October 12, 2005, guaranteeing citizens the right to request information from public authorities within a time-bound framework.
How RTI Works
Under the RTI Act, any Indian citizen can request information from a “public authority,” which must reply within 30 days (48 hours if it pertains to life and liberty). The Act also mandates proactive disclosure of certain categories of information to minimize the need for requests.
To ensure compliance, it established Information Commissions at the central and state levels, empowered to penalize officials for non-compliance or delayed responses.
Impact on Governance
- Transparency and Accountability
The RTI Act has exposed corruption, inefficiency, and maladministration across various sectors. High-profile examples include:
– 2G Spectrum Scam: Information obtained via RTI highlighted irregularities in the allocation of telecom licenses.
– Commonwealth Games Scam: RTI queries revealed financial mismanagement and inflated costs - Empowerment of Citizens
Rural citizens have used RTI to access ration cards, pension schemes and employment records under schemes like MGNREGA, thus ensuring their rightful benefits. - Institutional Reforms
Many public institutions now adopt a proactive approach to transparency, improving their record-keeping and reducing bureaucratic opacity. - Judicial Accountability
Even judiciary-related information, including judges’ assets and decision-making processes, has been brought under scrutiny through RTI.
Statistics on RTI Usage
- RTI Applications: Over 3 million RTI applications are filed annually in India.
- Success Rate: About 60-70% of requests receive satisfactory responses, though delays and denials remain significant challenges.
- Impact: A study by the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) found that over 75% of RTI users felt the law improved their access to information.
How to file a RTI request (KARNATAKA)
- First identify the relevant government department/ministry to which you wish to file the RTI. Eg: BDA
- Visit this website link to file your RTI
https://rtionline.karnataka.gov.in/index.php?lan=E - Fill your Login details as required
- Fill your personal details and fill all the necessary fields as displayed in the screen. Public Authority or Department for which the applicant wants to file an RTI has to be selected from Select Department/ Public Authority dropdown field.
- Complete your payment and the RTI will be filed. A unique registration number will be generated for future use.
How to File an RTI request (Central Government)
- First identify the relevant government department/ministry to which you wish to file the RTI. Eg: NHAI
- Visit this website link to file your RTI
https://rtionline.gov.in/request/request.php - Fill your personal and Request details.
- Complete your payment
- You will be provided with a registration number for future use
