The Right to Information Act (RTI Act) came into effect in 2005 in India. It replaced the Freedom Of Information Act of 2002. The Act gives citizens the right to ask for any information from the government by filing an RTI. The government is answerable to the applicant filing the RTI, and the authorities have to provide the information within 30 days to maintain transparency. If the applicant is not provided with the information after 30 days, they may take legal action. 

The RTI Act shows the importance of the right to information in a democracy. It acts as a tool to empower the citizens, builds transparency, reduces corruption, and holds the government accountable. Citizens can request information regarding strategy over social issues, workings of financial institutions, and civic infrastructure.

Objectives of the Right to Information Act 2005

The RTI Act holds great importance which is rightly explained through these objectives :

  • The main objective of the RTI Act is to provide the public with information. It works as a means of communication between the government and citizens, thereby giving them the right to get information on the workings of the government and the public entities.
  • To create transparency between the government and the country’s citizens.
  • To ensure the proper functioning and working of the government without any corruption.
  • To inform the youth and the citizens of their power and rights.
  • To hold the government responsible for its actions.
  • To create awareness among the government and the citizens of their rights and powers.
  • To ensure that the government is functioning well.

Importance of Role of Information in a Democracy 

  • Being a democratic nation, citizens need to have the right to know about the functioning of the government or the reasons behind their actions. This is where the information becomes essential. It enhances the relationship between the government and the citizens, thereby helping the government function smoothly.
  • It ensures accountability.
  • It ensures transparency between citizens and the government.
  • It is a tool that gives the youth enormous power and allows them to hold the government responsible for their actions by demanding their right to information.
  • It improves the functioning of the government.

How to File an RTI?

  • Open the online portal to file an RTI.
  • Click on the ‘Submit Request’ option.
  • Then guidelines for using the portal will appear on the screen.
  • After reading, click on the checkbox and submit.
  • An online RTI Request Form will appear.
  • Fill out the form.
  • You will be required to make a payment of ₹10 online (only if you are above the poverty line).
  • After the RTI is filed, you will receive an SMS alert confirming the same.

Salient Features of The RTI Act That Make It An Important Part of Our Democracy

  • This Act is applicable in all the states of India except Jammu &              Kashmir.
  • As per the RTI Act of 2005, every citizen has the right to:
    • Ask for information from the government.
    • Ask for copies of government documents.
    • Inspect the functioning of the government.
  • Citizens can ask for information from the state government, the central government, and the Panchayati Raj.
  • If the PIO (Public Information Officers) fails to provide information to the citizen filing the RTI, the PIO is liable to pay ₹250 per day for the delay.
  • If the PIO fails to provide timely information, the citizen can file a complaint against them.
  • The application should either be through electronic media or in English or Hindi.
  • The information should be provided to the applicant in 30 days.

Importance and Benefits

The RTI Act acts as a tool to empower citizens, build transparency, reduce corruption, and hold the government accountable. It helps get information regarding strategy over social issues, workings of financial institutions, and civic infrastructure.

Exempted Organizations

According to Section 24 of the Act, few central and state organizations are exempted from the Right to Information other than human rights violations or corruption cases. There are 21 such organizations, namely:

  • Indo-Tibetan Border Police 
  • Intelligence Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs 
  • Narcotics Control Bureau
  • Directorate of Revenue Intelligence 
  • Special Frontier Force
  • Border Security Force 
  • National Security Council Secretariat
  • Central Economic Intelligence Bureau 
  • Directorate of Enforcement 
  • Central Reserve Police Force 
  • Aviation Research Center
  • Central Industrial Security Force
  • National Security Guard
  • Research & Analysis Wing of The Cabinet Secretariat
  • National Technical Research Organization
  • Assam Rifles
  • Defense Research and Development Organization
  • Special Protection Group
  • Directorate General Income Tax
  • Financial Intelligence Unit
  • Border Road Development Organization
  • Sashastra Seema Bal

Conclusion

Right to information holds a key role in strengthening the citizens’ confidence in the government by giving them the right to hold the government accountable for their actions and that is holds so much importance when one talks about his/her rights as this Act allows citizens to ask the government for information regarding any public organization’s work and procedure.