Effect of RTI act on Indian society

Amity Business School

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APresentation

OnEffect of Right to Information Act on

Indian Society

Presented To:Presented To:Ms.Shinu Vig

Presented By:Presented By:

Ramneek S Sandhey(46)

Marketing & SalesSection E


Content

The Right to Information Act : Introduction

Who is covered under RTI?

Information Officer Hierarchy

What rights are available under RTI Act 2005?

Obtaining Information

Exemptions

Penalties Under the Act

Impact on Indian Society

Recommendations for Indian Govt.


THE RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT, 2005

Came into force on the 12th October, 2005

An Act to provide for setting out the practical regime of right to information for citizens to secure access to information under the control of public authorities, in order to promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority, the constitution of a Central Information Commission and State Information Commissions and for matters connected there with or incidental thereto.


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Who is covered under RTI?

The Central RTI Act extends to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir.

All bodies are owned, controlled or substantially financed by the Government are covered.

Central Public Information Officers or State Public Information Officers .


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Information Officer Hierarchy

State Information Commission

Officer senior in rank to the State Public Information Officer

State Public Information Officer

State Assistant Public Information Officer


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What rights are available under RTI Act 2005?

Right to Information Act 2005 empowers every citizen to

Ask any questions from the Government or seek any information

Take copies of any government documents

Inspect any government documents.

Inspect any Government works

Take samples of materials of any Government work.


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Receive request

Payment of fee

SPIO solicit assistance

Provide informationFee payment:

In person by paying cash

By Post through: Demand Draft, Indian Postal Order, Money orders (only in some states), Affixing Court fee Stamp (only in some states), Banker’s cheques.

Obtaining Information


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Exemptions

Affects the sovereignty and integrity of India

Forbidden by any court of law or tribunal

Breach of privilege of Parliament or the State Legislature

Information related to agencies mentioned in the Second Schedule of the Act

Commercial confidence, trade secrets or intellectual property


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Information from a foreign government.

Cabinet papers including records of deliberations of the Council of Ministers, Secretaries or prosecution of offenders.

Information which relates to personal matters, the disclosure of which has no bearing on any public activity or interest.

Exemptions


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Penalties Under the Act

If concerned officer does not provide information in time, a penalty of Rs 250 per day of delay can be imposed by the Information Commissioner.

If the information provided is false, a penalty of a maximum of Rs 25000 can be imposed.

A penalty can also be imposed for providing incomplete or for rejecting your application for malafide reasons.

This fine is deducted from the officer’s personal salary.


IMPACT ON INDIAN SOCIETY…….

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1 Greater Transparency: With a view to ensuring maximum disclosure of information regarding government rules, regulations and decisions, every public authority is mandated to maintain all its records. This has increased the interaction between the public authorities and the society.

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INFORMATION PROVIDED BY IT

• Request any information.

• Take copies of documents.

• Inspect documents, works and records.

• Take certified samples of materials of work.

• Obtain information in form of printouts, diskettes, floppies, tapes, video cassettes 'or in any other electronic mode' or through printouts.

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2. Citizen-Centric Approach to Development:

Now Govt. has shifted to citizen centric approach of development. Now the Government is aware of this fact that the citizens can ask for any type of information and now the approach is concerned with the development of the country.

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3. Democratization of information and knowledge:

Information and knowledge regarding the activities of the government is easily available now. The Govt. is easily assessable.

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4. Reduction in Corruption: Lack of transparency and accountability encourage the government officials

to indulge in corrupt practices, which result in lower investments due to mis-use or diversion of funds for private purposes. But RTI Act has reduced corruption to a great deal because Govt. is aware of the fact that now it can be asked for any type of information so it needs to be cautious.

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5.Promotion of Citizen-Government Partnership

The RTI Act provides a framework for promotion of citizen-government partnership in carrying out the programmes for welfare of the people.

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6. Greater Accountability: It means that the Govt. is required or expected to justify actions or

decisions which it is taking. If anyone isn’t getting the benefits which come under the Govt. policies then he/she can make use of RTI Act.

Various Govt. Policies are:

National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme Sarwa Shiksha Abhiyan (Education for all) Mid-day Meal Scheme Drinking Water Mission Integrated Child Development Services National Rural Health Mission Bharat Nirman (Rural Infrastructure, mainly road, electricity, drinking water, sanitation

etc.) Indira Avas Yojna (Shelter for poor)

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CASES/LIVE LIVE EXAMPLES……EXAMPLES……

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1. In Ghara Katara village of Shankar Garh block in Allahabad, daily wagers had a tough time arranging a proper meal as they were not receiving rations on their cards. On December 19, 2006, some 21 villagers prepared RTI applications and questioned the administration. The very next day all the ration card holders got their rations.


2.The Act is influencing people to come forward and question the progress on various welfare schemes, creating a positive change in the most backward areas like Eastern UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh , Karnataka , Assam and in Maharashtra. For e.g. Laborer employment programs initiated in UP and Bihar.


3.Even the most backward sections of rural societies are seeking information related to Prime Minister's Employment Scheme, Indira Awaas Yojna, ration card, midday meal, uniform distribution in the schools and the conditions of village roads.


PRACTICAL IMPLEMENTATAION……


1.Most questions in RTI applications are related to public distribution system, Ration card, BPL card, Indira Awaas Yojna, lands, irrigation, corruption in the welfare schemes and day to day working of local village administration.

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2.Sidhakahna Jot Keshav village in Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh is one such example. Five inspired residents of the village filed RTI applications and questioned the district administration about the conditions of the village roads and drains. They also raised questions as why there were no allotments under the Indira Awaas Yojna.


IMPACT OF FILING RTI APPLICATION• The administration immediately acted and the construction of the

roads and drains began in the village. Since then, 32 villagers have been allotted the houses under the Indira Awaas Yojna and the administration has displayed a list on the village wall, containing the names of the villagers eligible for the allotments under the scheme.


3.REDUCTION IN BRIBERY: In Chaibasa, the tribal village in Jharkhand there was a complaint against the post master who didn’t come to the post office regularly and there were charges of bribe against him also.


INFORMATION NOT DISCLOSED BY IT• Strategic, scientific or economic information is not

open for disclosure.• Information including commercial confidence, trade

secrets or intellectual property.• Information received in confidence from foreign

Government.• Information, the disclosure of which would

endanger the life or physical safety of any person • Cabinet papers including records of deliberations

of the Council of Ministers, Secretaries and other officers.

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RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INDIAN GOVT.

1. Awareness programmes for villagers can be started so that they come to know about RTI Act.

2. Procedure for application filing can be simplified and duration after which information is provided can be reduced so that the information can be easily transferred to those citizens who are willing to have that information.

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THANK YOU!!!!

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Effect of RTI act on Indian society

Education

information act

information commissioner

state information commissions

state legislature information

information fee payment

central information

act impact

central rti act