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DOI: DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21088/ijpos.2454.9371.3217.2

Abstract

Over the past few years, RTI has gained increasing importance in the human rights discourse as well as the larger democratic discourse. Since a democratic government must be sensitive to the public opinion for which information must be mae available by it to the people. E$ective accountability rests on the peoples’ acquaintance with the information. A system that operates in secrecy tends to loose the faith of the people as much as its own legitimacy and credibility. Openness and full access to the information are the two pillars of the democratic state. It will equip the citizens to participate meaningfully in the democratic and political process. Governance is undoubtedly strengthened by the RTI. That us why the RTI has been recognized as an essential requirements of the good governance. The enactment of the RTI Act, 2005 is a bold step. The Act covers not only the public sector but also the NGOs and the private sector to some extent. In addition to this, it has various other positive features like provision of First and Second Appellate Authorities. It is also one of the toughest legislations in the world, as it is the only RTI Act imposing penalty for any contravention of the provisions of the Ac Over the past few years, RTI has gained increasing importance in the human rights discourse as well as the larger democratic discourse. Since a democratic government must be sensitive to the public opinion for which information must be mae available by it to the people. Effective accountability rests on the peoples’ acquaintance with the information. A system that operates in secrecy tends to loose the faith of the people as much as its own legitimacy and credibility. Openness and full access to the information are the two pillars of the democratic state. It will equip the citizens to participate meaningfully in the democratic and political process. Governance is undoubtedly strengthened by the RTI. That us why the RTI has been recognized as an essential requirements of the good governance. The enactment of the RTI Act, 2005 is a bold step. The Act covers not only the public sector but also the NGOs and the private sector to some extent. In addition to this, it has various other positive features like provision of First and Second Appellate Authorities. It is also one of the toughest legislations in the world, as it is the only RTI Act imposing penalty for any contravention of the provisions of the Act.

Keywords: Right to Information (RTI); Human rights; Governance. 

Corresponding Author : M.R. Biju, Dean, School of Social Sciences and Head, Department of Public Administration and Policy Studies, Central University of Kerala, Kunia Campus, Periye (P.O), Kasargod, Kerala671316, India.