Right to Information
The Right to Information Act (RTI) is one of the most powerful legal weapons given to the citizens of a democratic country to ensure transparency and accountability in the functioning of the administration. Under this Act, which was passed by the Indian Parliament in 2005, every ordinary citizen has the legal right to request and receive official information from government institutions, local self-government bodies (such as Panchayats and Municipalities), and other public sector undertakings that receive government aid. The main objectives of this law are to eradicate corruption, make administrative matters transparent in a way that convinces the public, and make the government machinery accountable to the general public.
Except for certain highly confidential information affecting national security and individual privacy, all other records and files related to administration can be inspected by the public through this Act. If a citizen submits an application along with the prescribed fee, the concerned Public Information Officer (PIO) must furnish the information within 30 days (and within 48 hours in situations involving a threat to a person's life and liberty). The law provides for punitive actions, including fines, against the concerned official if they fail to provide information on time or provide false information. The Right to Information Act, which has helped implement decentralization of power and public participation in its true sense, plays a crucial role in making citizens equal to their rulers.