Right to information Act

Your Rights Online, Published by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, 2017

Right to Information Act, No. 12 of 2016 (RTIA) is an act to provide for the right to access to information; to specify grounds on which access may be denied; to establish the right to information commission; to appoint information officers and to set out the procedure and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. Right to Information is a fundamental right which ensures in terms of the Article 14A of the Constitution of Sri Lanka which inserted to the constitution section 2 of the nineteenth amendment. After RTIA which passed on 4 th August 2016, came into effect from 03 rd March 2017, Sri Lanka could join with Pakistan, India, Nepal and Bangladesh which already had enacted Right to Information laws, within the region. However, it is arguable, whether the ordinary public and also the government officers are aware of the functions of RTIA and its role in ensuring accountability of the Government. Some argue that provisions of RTIA clash with some laws such as the establishment code which all the government officials should comply with. Further, the confrontation between the Privacy Rights versus Right to Information is also controversial. Hence, this paper will discuss the key features of RTIA and its' consequence, the role of the Information Officer, how the general public is benefited by RTIA and foremost criticisms on the Act. The author uses primary sources viz. acts and codes of Sri Lanka and other countries and secondary sources viz. journals, reports, electronic resources and books as main sources for this study. Finally, the paper concludes with suggestions to RTIA towards minimizing afflictions affecting both the institutions and general public in complying with RTIA pursuing the maximum benefits of the Right to Information. Keywords: Information, Right to Information, Information Officer

Information constitutes as one of the seven specific aspects of good governance identified by the World Bank Report, 1992 entitled “Governance and Development”. Information and knowledge are the instruments of transformation because they enable public to engage their representatives and the bureaucracy on an ongoing basis and to participate effectively in the formulation and implementation of policies and activities purportedly for their benefit. An empowered citizenry in relation to the state tends to make administration more accountable and participatory as well as ensuring greater transparency and acting as a deterrent against the arbitrary exercise of official power.1

Human civilization has always been inclined towards attainment of power. Power can be defined in various forms; depending upon the context it suits, for say; for an entrepreneur capital is power, for a politician influence is power and so on. If we talk about politics it's again a struggle for power. Today, we live in neomodern age or some thinkers might even contend that we live in an Information age where knowledge and information is considered as the most potent intangible assets which can even buy money. In India, we follow a democratic republic form of government which represents will of citizens. Under this form of government, it is very important that people should be aware of political agendas, functions of various governmental bodies, welfare schemes, policies and Et cetera. Meaningful substantive democracy ought to be founded on the notion of an informed public competent to participate thoughtfully and actively in the governance of the country. Democratic government stands on two pillars namely; translucency and reasonable accountability as it is the fundamental goal of a democratic government to put peoples will into action and be answerable to people for the same. Thus, an easy and reliable access to information for citizens is a paramount requisite of a democratic republic and the Right to Information Act, 2005 aims to suffice the same.

Good Governance is key agenda for any country without which no country can make further development. Many initiatives have been taken by central and state governments to fulfill the objectives of Good Governance. Right to Information (RTI) is one of the important tool to bring good governance in the country. RTI Act came into existence in year 2005 and it will be completing a decade this year. Aim and objectives of this legislation is to bring transparency and accountability in the Governance. The present act has succeeded in meeting its objectives to the some extent. There are some negatives aspects of this act like killing of RTI Activists, pending RTI Appeals/Complaints, vacancy in the office of Information Commissions, reluctance of government officer to provide information etc. Present paper will highlight the journey of Right to Information Act in India, Gujarat. It will discuss the present scenario of RTI in India, Gujarat, latest development, role of NGOs, Civil Societies in development of RTI. Author is having practical knowledge of handling RTI matter for last six years, thus this will add value to the present paper.

International journal of advances in social sciences, 2019

The study seeks to give the perspective of Right To Information (RTI Act 2005) from the lens of Central Public Information Officer (CPIO). Right to Information act is a fundamental human right of each individual. The famous French philosopher Michel Foucault once pronounced, power is derived from knowledge and information is the basic component of knowledge. Information makes men wise and it is competent enough to cope up with the modern world. In this way, it is the obligation of government to illuminate subjects about everyday happening whatever inside the government. The change from administration to great administration is conceivable, if there is probability of expanding participation of individuals in administration and free access of Information. By figuring it out this reality, Indian Parliament has passed Right to Information act, 2005 to make government, responsible, capable, effective and straightforward. This paper tries to feature the essential rules of RTI act, the connection between Right to Information Act 2005 and good governance and the issues relating to RTI act. In closing part, the paper gives some suggestions for fruitful working of RTI act.

Working of Right to Information Act in India

TRANS Asian Journal of Marketing & Management Research, 2021

India is the largest democracy of the world. Democratic governments are based on government public trust. Availability of information in public domain helps to form a truly democratic society. Government-citizen information sharing promotes discussion in public sphere. It helps the citizen to inform a transparent and accountable public sphere. Social scientist believes that public participation is must for a participatory development in a democratic country. In this context RTI is an important tool of citizen empowerment.

International Journal of Advance Research and Innovative Ideas in Education, 2018

The purpose of the paper is to highlight the conceptual framework of Right to Information in India, its role in improving social, economical, political and cultural development and the problems associated with the industrialization. In this paper an attempt is also made to discuss the various constraint and limitations of Right to Information in India. The findings of the paper will help the planners to frame an exact and benefiting policy for legislative provisions on right to information in India.