RTI Act: In place, but not quite

The right to information is guaranteed by the Constitution, but the institutional framework for delivering it has been weak. After numerous attempts at promoting transparency and accountability in administration, the government enacted a law in 2005, the Right to Information Act, or RTI.

A question of responsibility

The RTI law empowers Indian citizens to seek information from public authorities as a matter of right, making government and public functionaries more accountable and responsible. It covers almost all matters of governance and is applicable to the government at all levels — Union, state and local — and the recipients of government grants

What the law says

Under the law, public authorities have to designate a public information officer to help a person who seeks information under the RTI Act. In the normal course, information sought under RTI is to be supplied within 30 days from the receipt of the application

In place, but not quite

There are numerous instances of citizens using RTI to seek information on issues of public interest and forcing the government to act, suggesting that the concept is catching on.
At least 2,63,261 applications were received
in 2007-08

An independent study has reported that 13% of the rural population and 33% of the urban population are aware of the RTI Act, with 12% of women and 26% of men reporting this awareness

The study points out that more than 75% of citizens were dissatisfied with the quality of information provided.

ET Comment

Empty at the core

The RTI Act is mainly being used by empowered groups such as civil organisations. The lack of awareness and the absence of a strong institutional mechanism have kept it out of reach for most people.

To begin with, a centralised information system about applications filed under the RTI and the number of appeals received is not yet in place. Better monitoring of the scheme is required too.

The government has woken up to the lacunae in the system, though, and started a Centrally-sponsored scheme called, ‘Strengthening, capacity building and awareness generation for effective implementation of the RTI’ for 2009-10. But if the law has to touch those who need it the most, a lot more effort
is needed.

Has the RTI Act helped reduce corruption in Indian by a considerable extent?