A Study of Weapon Against Corruption- Right to Information by Pallabi Paul

ABSTRACT

In this article ,the author has highlighted  about the Right to information Act  and its importance as an anti – corruption tool. The main motive behind writing this article is to know the right of the people of the country to seek information, as corruption is the evil and act as a obstacle for the development and progess of a nation, its required to be controlled,along with that few cases are discussed.

Keywords - Corruption, Right to Information,Transparency,Parliament.

INTRODUCTION

The Right to Information Act was enacted in 2005 by the Indian Parliament in order to reduce or curb corruption from the society as well as to add up more transparency and accountability of the role of different government departments, and the citizens  should utilise the Act.

RTI A POTENT WEAPON TO ROOT OUT CORRUPTION 

Mr.Rajendra  delivered a speech in the inaugural a seminar on the topic relating to Right to Information  at Gayatri Vidya Parishad College of Engineering. (1)

Four tenets

He suggested  to follow the provisions of the Right to Information Act,2005 in order  to combat the corruption. The Right to Information Act was adopted in Parliament on 15th June 2005 and then got the accent of President on 12th October, 2005. The right of access to information is a part of Right of Freedom of Speech and Expression guaranteed under Article 19(1)A and is very important human right, which is conferred upon people by virtue of being human. After that people all over  the nation have been effectively using the Act in order to maintain  transparency and accountability. Moreover, 4,800 applications are submitted by the people to gather information from the officials working for Government. Based on the study after the enactment of Right to Information (RTI) Act in October 2005 ,it was found that over 1.75 crore applications seeking information have been filed where one-fourth of the applications were sent to the Center. And with the commencement of the Act,political mobilization against corruption initiated .Moreover,the tradition of maintaining secrecy, invites many of bureaucrats , the government officials to involve and to promote  corrupt practices, the consequences of it is the 

lower investments due to misuse of power and diversion of funds for private purposes and not using the funds appropriately.Ultimately, the government’s investing of fund will not produces any output , as because, there a several cases where the  teachers do not teach, medical professional as well as nurses do not attend health centres,moreover a  ration card holders is not provided subsidized food grains and, thus,their support in their livelihood is ultimately denied, and the jobs which are promised ultimately came to a fake one  as the poor people do not receive so, who are assured of income support. In the system, it prolonged the existence of poverty and ultimately poor people suffers and that forms  environment where no one can be trusted in between common people and the government, there becomes a bridge in the development of the nations and jeopardize democratic governance. (2)

The legislation on RTI repealed the earlier legislation of Freedom of Information Act, 2002 which was passed by the NDA Government and enactment of Right of Information Act, 2005 protects the right of citizens to have access to information controlled by public authorities and the  interests which the authorities try to conceal or misinterpret information and make efforts in order to manipulate the media and journalists directly or indirectly to plant misinformation. (3)

The Right to Information Act 2005 has protected the basic right of citizens to get information from the government and as per the Act, it obligatory upon the authority to give genuine information as well as to have a records,which is required  to be maintained regularly consistent with the operational needs .Any person want to obtain information is required to make a request in written form by sending the request in electronic mode yo the respective and competent Public Information Officer as per Sec 6 of the Act and by this instances of corruption can be adequately exposed and emphasis the duties which are required to be performed that are not being performed by the officials adequately . (4)

However in many states like Mexico ,Chile ,South Asia, Right to Information has became the part of the anti-corruption or the part of state modernization agendas. By the help of these we can find solutions to the problems. There are certain matters where it is required to collect information such as various projects and plans, like inspection of the files as well as to examine any misappropriations. As the Government of every  state spends a huge funds for many works related to the development in various fields,in such a case information regarding the tenders, agreements, payments and estimates of engineering work etc can be collected by going and following the provisions of Right to information Act,2005.

 Apart from these, information can be collected on the following matters -(5)

(1) In order to combat corruption, people can ask for providing samples and quality of  materials used for the construction of drains ,road construction and government officials buildings, as many times poor quality of materials are used and this,promotes mismanagement.(6)

(2)Demand can be made for  inspection of any social development work, work taken by authorities which is going on or information can be collected with regards to any completed work. 

(3)The citizen has the right to gather information  of government documents, maps for the construction, registers as well as records.(7)

RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT, 2005

Section 24 of The Right To Information Act, 2005 states that: 

(1) Nothing contained in this Act with be applicable to the  security and Intelligence Department which is established by the Central Government as mentioned in the Second Schedule, or any information furnished by such authorities to that Government: (8)

However the information related to the allegations of corruption or infringement of  human rights will not be excluded.......................................................

To Read Further, contact pallabipaulkxj@gmail.com 

About Author

Pallabi Paul has done Certified courses of Intellectual Property Rights and Human Rights with first division from Advocatespedia Foundation (A Trust for the welfare of Legal Fraternity ),completed Digital Skill - Digital Skill for Work and life ,securing  88% from Accenture,London (Distance), completed Certificate Course in Social Media Marketing from Amity Future Academy(distance).She is interested in research work and published eight articles in the Law Journals bearing ISSN and impact factors some of the works are accepted for publication. 

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