The Right to Information (RTI) Act is a vital instrument for promoting transparency and accountability in government functioning. Its importance has been highlighted by the latest report released by Satark Nagrik Sangathan (SNS), providing a review of Responsiveness under the RTI Act for the year 2021-22. The report indicates that transparency leaves much to be desired across several states, with Tamil Nadu faring the worst in terms of RTI responsiveness.
Key Highlights from the SNS Report
According to the SNS Report, Tamil Nadu showed the lowest rate of RTI responsiveness during the year, furnishing only 14% of the information sought. Maharashtra was a close second from bottom, providing just 23% of the requested information. Among the 10 Information Commissions (ICs) that delivered full responses to RTI applications, the list featured Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Jharkhand, and northeastern states including Sikkim, Nagaland, and Tripura. In a notable turnaround, the State Information Commission (SIC) of Bihar, which had previously failed to provide any information, recorded a significant improvement by supplying 67% of the information requested.
Disruption in Information Flow
One of the major issues affecting the implementation of the RTI Act was the high number of cases returned without orders being passed. ICs in Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh were reported to have returned around 40% of the received appeals or complaints. Among 18 existing ICs, 11 were found to have returned grievances without passing any orders, indicating a systemic problem. Some ICs also demonstrated a very low rate of disposal per commissioner, significantly impacting the resolution speed of pending cases.
Understanding the Right to Information Act
At the heart of this discussion is the RTI Act 2005, a law that mandates a timely response to citizen queries seeking government information. The core objective is empowering citizens, fostering transparency, and curtailing corruption. However, the Act underwent some amendments in 2019 which were controversial as many perceived them as diluting the original law and giving more powers to the central government.
The Challenges with RTI Act Implementation
Despite its noble intentions, the implementation of the RTI Act has faced several hurdles. Some of these include non-compliance in proactive disclosure by public authorities, hostile behavior of Public Information Officers towards citizens, lack of clarity on the intersection of public interest and right to privacy, rejections of information requests on crucial matters, and threats against RTI activists.
Central Information Commission: Its Role and Responsibilities
The Central Information Commission (CIC) plays a vital role in executing the provisions of the RTI Act. Established in 2005, the CIC isn’t a constitutional body but consists of a Chief Information Commissioner and up to ten Information Commissioners appointed by the President. Their duties include receiving and investigating complaints from individuals related to requested information under the RTI Act, and ordering inquiries if there are reasonable grounds.
The Future of RTI Act and Its Implementation
The effective functioning of information commissions is critical for realizing the goals of the RTI Act. These commissions, being the final appellate authority, must ensure transparency and facilitate the citizens’ right to information. However, the current scenario demands these bodies to function in a more efficient and transparent manner. Digitalizing the RTI portal could be a potential solution, providing convenient and efficient services to both transparency seekers and the government.
