The Right to Information (RTI) Act
The Right to Information (RTI) Act, enacted in 2005 under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's leadership, stands as a transformative milestone in India's democratic governance. Nearly 20 years since its implementation, the RTI Act has empowered citizens with an unparalleled tool to demand transparency and accountability in public administration.
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Origins and Passage of the RTI Act
The RTI Act evolved from the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, introduced by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led government in 2002. However, the FOI Act was never implemented as the necessary rules were not framed. When Manmohan Singh assumed office in 2004, his government initially considered operationalizing the FOI Act. Eventually, a new and more robust RTI Bill was introduced in December 2004. It passed both houses of Parliament in May 2005 and came into effect on October 12, 2005.
Significance of the RTI Act
- Global Context: With the RTI Act, India joined a select group of countries committed to transparent governance. While Sweden pioneered such laws in 1766, other major democracies like the U.S. (1966) and the U.K. (2005) adopted them later. Today, over 120 countries have similar legislation.
- Empowering Citizens: The RTI Act gives ordinary citizens the right to access information from public authorities, strengthening their ability to hold the government accountable and participate meaningfully in governance.
- Promoting Good Governance: Singh envisioned the Act as heralding a new era of performance, efficiency, and corruption-free governance. It was also seen as fulfilling the vision of India’s founding leaders for an inclusive democracy.
Implementation and Challenges
The RTI Act has had a profound impact:
- Citizens have used it to uncover corruption and inefficiencies, including high-profile scams during Singh’s second term.
- Government offices reported being inundated with RTI requests, reflecting the Act's popularity but also raising concerns about misuse.
Manmohan Singh’s Reflections on the RTI Act:
- In 2011, Singh highlighted the need to address "vexatious and frivolous requests" that drain public resources.
- He emphasized balancing the flow of genuine information with the administrative burden imposed by exhaustive or irrelevant queries.
Despite these concerns, the RTI Act remained central to the Congress party’s governance ethos, often cited as a flagship achievement of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.
Criticism and Limitations
While the RTI Act has empowered citizens, it has faced challenges:
- Administrative Pushback: Public authorities often resist providing information or delay responses, undermining the law's effectiveness.
- Exemptions: In 2010, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was exempted from the RTI’s ambit, leading to criticism about reducing its scope.
- Safety of Activists: Several RTI activists have faced threats, violence, or even death for exposing corruption, raising concerns about the protection of whistleblowers.
Legacy of the RTI Act
The RTI Act is widely regarded as a cornerstone of Singh’s tenure, cementing his reputation as a proponent of transparency and accountability. While challenges persist, the Act continues to be a vital democratic tool, ensuring that citizens can demand answers from their government—a legacy that resonates even 20 years after its enactment.