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RTI Essay
RTI Essay
RIGHT TO INFORMATION
– Nelson Mandela.
right to know how the Governments, meant to serve for them, are
functioning. Further, every citizen pays taxes in the form of sales tax,
excise duty, etc., when he buys a piece of soap from the market. The
citizens, therefore, have a right to know how their money was being
spent.
1970’s, i.e. the case of Raj Narain vs the State of Uttar Pradesh in the
Supreme Court. In this case, Raj Narain dropped out a petition that
document called the ‘Blue Book’. Basically, this book contained the
travel, but his demand was declined. This was the background for the
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formation of the Right to Information Act, as this observed that people
of the RTI is to empower the citizens and enable them to question the
RTI Act does not give any new right. It simply lays down the process
on how to apply for information from various public authorities under the
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much fees, etc. In simple terms, a common man can question any
access may be provided to that part of the record which does not contain
information which is exempted from disclosure under this Act. There are
impediment of investigations.
providing the information to the citizens of India. This really will help to
question the Government, even before the existence of RTI. But, the
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RTI has three levels, viz. Public Information Officer (PIO), First
Every Government office has these three levels. As regards the PIO,
they are responsible for managing RTI applications. The PIO has an
days from the date of receipt by public authority. Then, moving on to the
next appeal, i.e. FAA, the time-bound for this is from 30 to 45 days, from
the date of receipt by public authority. And, the maximum time gap for
the second appeal, i.e. CIC, must be within 90 days from the date on
which the decision should have been made by the FAA. The CIC could
under the Centre and the State bodies i.e. Legislature, Executive and
limited extent of Judiciary, NGOs even those which are financed by the
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As far as the exemptions are concerned, there will be no disclosure
Force, and the Border Security Force, etc.) will not be provided.
However, there are few exceptions in this case too, the information could
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the citizens to acquire as much information that they want regarding the
Government activities, rules and regulations, etc. This creates a room for
As far as the critical analysis of RTI are concerned, there are many
areas which do not come under the RTI Act such as in Judiciary and
were asked to put in the public general information, but this is not
people could not understand. Awareness of this Act among the masses
is only about 36% in urban areas and 38% in rural areas. Maintenance
answer to the RTI. The cost is high, which is a basic hindrance to the
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Spreading of awareness and consciousness about RTI makes
intentions, or else anyone can take advantage of RTI in a bad way. More
right action”.
- Peter Drucker
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