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Essay / Implementation of the Right to Information Act in India
Table of ContentsIntroductionKey Features of the RTI Act of IndiaImplementation:The Act includes the right:Objectives of the RTI ActUsefulness of the RTI ActConclusionIntroduction The enactment of the Right to Information Act, 2005 is a landmark in the history of administration in India. The new legislation has brought sensitivity, responsibility and accountability to the development process. The RTI Act is revolutionary in controlling corruption and delays in the implementation of government-sponsored schemes and functioning of public authorities. The law gives impetus to the development process and offers solutions to combat corruption in public authorities. Although the RTI Act is contradictory to the Official Secrecy Act, 1923 and is not free from pitfalls, it is an important instrument to strengthen democracy and accelerate the economic development of the country in general and rural areas in particular. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the Original Essay Salient Features of RTI Act of India Various sections of the society especially media personnel, social activities and positive thinking people have always expressed that right to seek the information should be a right fundamental, just as we have the right to speech and expression. Internationally, the citizen's right to information is described as freedom of information, access to information or the right to information. The right to information is implicit in the Indian Constitution, which establishes a representative democracy with inalienable rights for the country's citizens, which have been reinforced time and again by the judiciary. The Right to Information in India has significantly sought to expand the democratic space and empower citizens to exercise control over corrupt practices under state power. Various studies reveal that many people are not aware of the details, scope and operating procedures of the various provisions of the Right to Information Act 3, which is a major setback to the basic objective empowerment of the people. This section outlines the salient features of the RTI Act, regarding application procedure, deadline, grounds for rejection and other aspects. Implementation: The RTI Act came into force on October 12, 2005 (120th day of its enactment on June 19, 2005). Certain provisions have come into force with immediate effect, viz. obligations of public authorities, designation of public information officers and deputy public information officers, constitution of the Central Information Commission, constitution of the National Information Commission, non-applicability of the law to public information bodies intelligence and security and power to make rules to carry out the provisions of the act. Meaning of Information: Information means any material in any form, including records, documents, memos, emails, opinions, advice, press releases, circulars, orders, logbooks, contracts, reports, articles, samples, models, data held in any document. electronic form and information relating to any private organization, accessible to a public authority under any other law in force, but not including a notice. Information means only information recorded in material and not oral form. Opinions are information if put in writing. It is therefore impliedthat the Act is not concerned with oral communications. Notwithstanding their right to information, citizens are not entitled to all information available from public authorities. The right of citizens to information is limited to the extent of information recorded and published and to the extent of information recorded but not published and if the non-publication is due to secrecy provisions, the person responsible for the information Information has the power to decide whether revealing the information will serve a broader public interest than that served by keeping the information secret. The law includes the right to: Inspect works, documents and records. Take notes, extracts or certified copies of documents or files. Take certified samples of material. Obtain information in printed form, floppy disks, floppy disks, tapes, video cassettes or any other electronic means or by means of printed matter. Objectives of the RTI Act The objectives of the RTI Act are numerous. The important objectives of the law are described below. Create awareness: The Right to Information Act will create a sense of awareness among the common people so that they are able to participate in the development of government policies and programs. The law should create a mechanism for producing voices and conscious citizens which are prerequisites for a civilized society. To invite suggestions: the people will be able to examine the flaws in government policies and implementation mechanisms. Noticing the mistakes, they will be able to deliver their suggestions which will help the government to rectify its mistakes. The law emphasized the sovereignty of the citizen and improved the psychology of the people. To change the psychology of bureaucracy: The law will help form a responsive bureaucracy for the pleasant management and effective implementation of government policies and programs suitable for common people. Furthermore, the law should change the psychology and sentiment of the bureaucracy so that it is able to improve its mind in accordance with the benefit of the people. To reduce official secrecy: the law will be able to destroy the traditional culture of official secrecy of the bureaucracy and make it open to the people. To increase the dignity of the country: The Right to Information Act will bring transparency in the functioning of the government and reduce the levels of corruption. This will increase the dignity of the country in the international sphere. To strengthen the roots of Indian Federation: As per the provisions of federation, if the law of a state contravenes the law of the central government, then the law of the central government is declared more powerful and the law of the state becomes ineffective. Publicize the law: With this law, the media will be more powerful in publishing more viable information relating to important government decisions. Taking into account the scope, the area of action and the needs felt by the population, the law can be amended. To encourage value-based politics: The law will help strengthen the quality of democracy and value-based politics in the country. The law will also help resolve many chronic problems related to the socio-economic development of the country. Usefulness of RTI Act It can be said that the right to know is the most fundamental of all these rights, which are essential for respecting human dignity. The usefulness of the RTI Act can be described as follows: Helps in overall administrative improvement: Questions under the RTI Act have been raised on the socio-economic development of Panchayats under various schemes. The responses revealed manyembezzlement. This prompted people to improve the administrative system to take full advantage of government rural development programs. This needs to be replicated in other Panchayats. The aim of RTI should be to improve the administrative system that hinders development. Corrective measure to contain corruption: Corruption is anti-development. RTI can help identify the methodology and practice of corruption. For example, the University of Bombay, through RTI, was found unable to affiliate itself with any institute for awarding MBA degrees etc. without fulfilling the necessary conditions. Procedural Reforms: The Right to Information Act can help in determining what is wrong with the procedures, for example in Haryana, the Haryana Urban Development Authority has become a den of corrupt practices due to poor procedures . Even getting a map of the house can take months. Nothing can be done without money. Thus, the RTI law constitutes an important step in the reform of procedures aimed at corrupt practices. Citizen-friendly administration: Complaints filed under the RTI Act have revealed in Maharashtra that postings and transfers are being done through letters written by politicians to cheat people through them. Action against the police officers is underway and this would slowly make the police administration accountable to the people. RTI Act Can Expose Top Managers: Information Received Through RTI Act, 2005 In Union And State Commissions Reveals That Top Level Personnel Are Responsible For Many Evils In Administration . The principle of seniority in assignment poses many problems. Only competent people who apply certain ethical standards and believe they can perform their duties honestly should be assigned to positions at higher levels. They can set the tone of the administration under their control. Delays in administration: Many complaints filed under the RTI Act related to delays, including in settling service conditions, etc. Based on the information generated, the government should change procedures that hinder responsive administration, for example, privatization of ticket reservation in railways can eliminate delays and intentional corruption. Keep the administrative system active: The Right to Information Act, 2005 should keep public services active through feedback from the people through the information sought by them. Information requested by the public can also help officials determine public satisfaction. Based on these questions asked in the form of information, they can help generate administrative reforms and keep the administrative system active. The RTI Act can provide the means for improvement: The RTI Act will generate administrative reform as transfers made with huge sums of money will lead to more administrative reforms. corruption. Therefore, the RTI Act can help resolve the issues of transfer corruption and cheating of common people. This can succeed provided we adapt the civil service and political elite to ensure that government can operate effectively. Most problems can be solved if we remove administrative bottlenecks. This would also reduce the work of officers engaged in implementing the RTI Act. Conclusion A large number of people in developing countries, including India, continue to live in extreme poverty. They are always private.