The Right to Information (RTI) Act in India is a cornerstone of democratic governance, recognized as an essential component of freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution. Enacted to promote transparency and accountability in government operations, the RTI Act has become a powerful tool for citizen empowerment. It aims to create a well-informed citizenry, which is crucial for the healthy functioning of democracy.
However, the implementation of the RTI Act faces several challenges. In the judicial sphere, there is a significant backlog of appeals, with lengthy waiting times for hearings. Administrative issues compound these problems, including unfilled vacancies, poor selection of commissioners, and inadequately trained staff. As of June 2021, a staggering 2.56 lakh appeals were pending across 26 information commissions, highlighting the scale of the issue.
The RTI Act, while beneficial, has also been subject to misuse. Some individuals use it for personal gain rather than public interest, potentially infringing on officials’ privacy rights. The 11th annual report of the State Information Commissioner was the first to officially acknowledge this possible ‘misuse,’ noting instances where individuals filed multiple appeals across various tribunals.
A grave concern surrounding the RTI Act is the violation of activists’ rights. Since the act’s enactment, 99 RTI activists have been killed, 180 assaulted, and 187 threatened. A notable case occurred in June 2022, when a contractor in Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh, was murdered for asking questions about public works. These incidents underscore the risks faced by those seeking to use the RTI Act to promote transparency.
To address these challenges and improve the RTI regime, several suggestions have been put forward. These include better training and support for Public Information Officers (PIOs), implementing a code of conduct for commissioners to prevent political bias, and increasing awareness through training sessions for both government officials and the public. There’s also a need to strike a balance between press freedom and officials’ privacy.
Ultimately, the text emphasizes that maintaining and improving the RTI regime in India requires a strong political system and renewed enthusiasm from key stakeholders. The RTI Act, described as a “sunshine legislation,” needs to be safeguarded and strengthened to fulfill its promise of transparency and accountability in governance.