Question

Mention the positive consequences of right to information movement.

Hint:

When discussing RTI, emphasize its role in changing the power dynamic. It shifts power from the officials (who previously held a monopoly on information) to the common citizen, making it a true tool for deepening democracy.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The Right to Information (RTI) movement in India was a grassroots civil society movement that successfully campaigned for the enactment of the Right to Information Act, 2005. This landmark law empowers citizens to access information from public authorities, fundamentally altering the relationship between the citizen and the state.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The positive consequences of the Right to Information movement and the resulting Act are profound:
1. Increased Transparency and Accountability in Governance:
- Before RTI, the functioning of government was largely opaque. The RTI Act ushered in an era of transparency, obligating government departments to provide information on their decisions and actions.
- This transparency makes public officials directly accountable to the people. Citizens can now question why a road was not built, how funds were spent, or why a service was delayed, thereby holding the system answerable for its performance.
2. Empowerment of the Citizen:
- The RTI has transformed ordinary citizens from passive recipients of government services into active participants in the democratic process.
- It has provided a tool for individuals, especially the poor and marginalized, to demand their rights and entitlements, whether it be rations from a public distribution shop, a pension, or information about development projects in their area.
3. Reduction in Corruption:
- Secrecy often breeds corruption. By bringing government records into the public domain, the RTI acts as a powerful deterrent to corrupt practices.
- Public scrutiny of tenders, contracts, and appointments makes it harder for officials to engage in bribery or nepotism. Many scams and instances of wrongdoing have been exposed using the RTI Act.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The positive consequences of the Right to Information movement include making the government more transparent and accountable, empowering ordinary citizens to demand their rights, and acting as a significant tool to curb corruption.