The most important act after independence of India is probably the introduction of the Right to Information Act 2005. The independence gave India the political space in the comity of nations. Expectations were high as is usual for the newly independent nations. Able guidance of contemporary national leaders steered India on the right path. Institutions were created with a lot of foresight and thought. The foundation of strong Union was envisaged to take care of the possible separatist tendencies of such a big nation. The administration became a huge monolith. The so called License permit Raj was established. The admixture of socialism and capitalism created unforeseen and undesired results. Despite independence, the Administration continued working behind the curtains. The people were left out of governance. This gave rise to corruption, ad-hocism and other mal-practices. Theoretically people were empowered but in real sense only a handful of people started reaping undue benefits. Vicious nexus of different interests colluded to bleed the nation. Transparency and probity hid behind the red-tape creating a fertile ground for breeding of corruption. Gradually, corruption became a way of life. People in general started losing faith in the Government machinery. Middle men made merry. Everything was possible at a cost. Nothing was possible without consideration. This was a very terrible situation for a nation.
The devolution of power by the way of Panchayati Raj Institutions came as a ray of hope. Hope was genuine because of the nearness of the governance. But the election politics on Panchayati level, caste-ism, lack of political will of State Governments, rule by proxies, inability to understand modern day governance and widespread illiteracy did not allow the Panchayati Raj system to provide the intended benefits.
In this gloomy scenario, the Right to Information Act 2005 came. This is a revolutionary Act and can be panacea of all ills of meal-governance. The need is to utilise this tool in an effective way. Alliance of intellectuals, common people, media can really make a difference by the help of this Act. Fortunately all the Government machinery has somehow established the necessary infrastructure for this Act. In the modern day information is the real empowerment. The crooks thrive on the denial or lack of information. Corruption spread its tentacles because of lack of information. Availability of information is the real empowerment of people. It is all more important in Democracy. Democracy is exercising of choice. Choice has to be informed. Good decision can be only made after having correct and related information.
The provisions of the Act is very simple. The fee for seeking information is reasonable. There is no fee for Below poverty line people. It does not ask the applicant the reason for asking information. The application format is simple. Information has to be provided in a time bound manner. Except for certain activities related to the State secret, commercial secret and relation with foreign governments, all other information can be obtained without much fuss. There is provision for pecuniary penalty for deliberately non-disclosure of information. Appellate authorities are in place to listen to the grievances relating to denial of information. The act also forces voluntary disclosure by all public authorities. This Act has the potential to herald India in a corruption free society. It will, of course, take time. Dissemination of information about this Act would go a long way in this regard. The need of the hour is to make people aware about this potent weapon. Bureaucracy would be forced to change by the pressure of this Act. The way India governs itself shall become different in coming years. Long live the Right to Information Act 2005.
More information about this Act can be obtained from http://www.rti.gov.in/
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