“The RTI has started its journey, but is far from its destination.”
Paper-2: Significant issues in Indian Administration | UPSC PYQ - 2019
“The RTI has started its journey, but is far from its destination.”
In view of the statement, examine the present status of the RTI movement. 10 Marks (2019) - Paper-II
In the previous post below, the structure for this answer had been shared. In this post, a suggested answer has been provided. Do share your perspectives on this topic!
Suggested Answer for the above question:
“At 1.33 million, RTI pleas in 2020-21 see a dip of only 2.9%” RTI is based on the theoretical premise of the “Master-Servant Relationship” where the citizen is the master and the state is the servant.
In India, the RTI act was passed in 2005. The Mathew report of the 1980s, the Jan Sunavayyi experiment of MKSS in Rajasthan, Press Council of India's draft bill laid the foundation for RTI.
Benefits through the Introduction of RTI
Accountability - Through an RTI, NCPRI worker Raja John found that 64.7% of total prisoners comprised of Undertrials. This led to a PIL in the Supreme Court which instructed the government to respond.
Transparency - 1.32 Cr was sanctioned for road widening of Bagepalli, near Bangalore. But no action was taken. RTI helped to raise the voice and get the road.
Control Corruption - Mazloom Nadaf, a 77-year-old rickshaw puller was asked to pay a bribe of ₹5,000 to get the house allotted to him under Indira Awas Yojana. He filed an RTI for the progress and allocation of funds to him and got the issue resolved.
Improve Governance - Through an RTI it was identified that in 20 years (1993-2013) only three women were appointed to the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII).
Strengthening Democracy - People in rural Karnataka have combined RTI and Right to Food to demand that the rations due to them are allotted to them at the correct prices.
Challenges in reaching the Destination of the RTI movement
Composition: Mostly retired bureaucrats. Hence they lack the zeal to innovate and make a difference. Their performance will not have a significant impact on their pay.
Lack of enforcement of the penalty for delays. Fine ranges from Rs 250-Rs 2500 per day for delay in providing information.
Blackmailing → SA Bobde had remarked that the Transparency law has become a tool for blackmailing officers resulting in fear of taking decisions.
Gender disparity in RTI usage - 91% of RTI users are men.
Urban-local divide in RTI filing → Lack of awareness and training on the process to apply for an RTI to a concerned department
Conclusion
According to Madison, Democracy needs an informed Citizenry. Eventually, Transparency should be the norm and Secrecy be the exception.
Links for Additional Reading
https://vikaspedia.in/e-governance/about-rti-act-2005/rti-news-update
http://www.satyamevjayate.in/Kings-Every-Day/EPISODE-4Article.aspx?uid=E4-RTI-A5
https://rti.gov.in/manu_moudgil_rti_fellowship_report.pdf - ANALYSING VICTIMISATION OF RTI APPLICANTS AND STRATEGIES FOR THEIR PROTECTION - Report submitted to DoPT (2012)
Question for You
Do you know how to file an RTI? Have you or anyone you know well ever filed an RTI?