Right To Information Institute of Management in Govt.

Rising Concerns of Poor Governance: 10 th Five year Plan Highlights Poor Service Delivery Lack of Focus on Citizens Lack of Focus on Performance Lack of Transparency and Accountability Lack of User Feedback Mechanisms Insensitivity at the ‘Cutting Edge’ Widespread Corruption Deteriorating Finances of States Poor Financial Management Inadequate Institutional Capacity

The Spirit A customer is the most important visitor in our premises. He is not dependent on us; we are dependent on him. He is not an interruption on our work; he is the purpose of it. He is not an outsider on our business; he is part of it. We are not doing him a favour by serving him; he is doing a favour by giving us an opportunity to do so. Mahatma Gandhi

What is Public Accountability? Government accountable to the Public would mean – (i) how we deliver services to meet the needs of the people; (ii) Who is responsible to deliver these services (iii) Resources provided to deliver these services (iv) Measure and report performance in delivering quality services.

Traditional Systems of Accountability Legislative Control – Questions, Committees Executive Control – Audit, Inspection Judicial Control – Suits, PIL, Review Lok Ayukta / Vigilance Commission – Enquiries,

Why RTI Create openness in government transactions – transparency in place of secrecy Challenge unfair / arbitrary actions of government Grievance redressal at low cost Promotes responsibility amongst officials Empowerment of citizens – participatory governance (Gram sabha, Water user, Association, Participatory budgeting, Public Hearing ….)

Why RTI Tendency of officials – secrecy Refuse to part with easily any information Even reports of enquiry

Contd… 1997 – Conference of CMs – Resolution 1. Transparency & RTI 2. Supreme Court has recognized RTI as a fundamental right 3. People can make the government accountable by using the Act

Contd… India is one among the 55 countries in the world to have such a legislation

Contd… RTI – People got legal authority to seek information

Contd… DISCLOSURE – Rule Secrecy – Exception

Objectives Transparency Accountability and responsiveness Informed citizenry

Note that… You need give info Under your possession,control,custody RTI is not a TSP(total solution provider) Reasonable assisstance-un

Two types of disclosure Obligatory disclosure Mandatory

Contd… A citizen applying for information does not have to state reasons for application

Contd… Act provides disclosure of all information which cannot be denied to Parliament.

Contd… Refusal to accept, malafide denial, false information or destruction of information will also be charged with fine up to Rs. 25,000 (no criminal liability)

Contd… Information means any material in any form, including records, documents, memos, e- mails, opinions, advices, press releases, circulars, orders, logbooks, contracts, reports, papers, samples, models, data material held in any electronic form and information relating to any private body which can be accessed by a public authority under any other law for the time being in force.

Record includes - 1. any document, manuscript and file; 2. any microfilm, microfiche and facsimile copy of a document; 3. Any reproduction of image or images embodied in such microfilm (whether enlarged or not); and 4. Any other material produced by a computer or any other device.

Right to information means Which is held by or under the control of any public authority and includes the right to 1. inspection of work, documents, records; 2. taking notes, extracts or certified copies of documents or records; 3. Taking certified samples of material; 4. Obtaining information in the form of diskettes, floppies, tapes, video cassettes or in any other electronic mode or through printouts where such information is stored in a computer or in any other device.

Note that RTI …………. NOT A GREIVANCE REDRESSAL MECHANISM NOT A ‘TOTAL SOLUTION PROVIDER” BUT INFO PROVIDER