Right to Information Act

Guest · Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2005 11:41 am Post subject: Right to Information Act

This is one of the progressive act in history of Indian democracy. This will have trenedous ramifications for the citizens of this state and the country. Though a similar kind of law was enacted in several other states like Maharastra this is by far the most radical act.

This can be a tremendous tool in reducing or eliminating corruption in our society. No doubt the Indian bureaucracy is going to create road blocks in implementing the spirit of this law. But collectively it is the responsibility of the citizens to make it work. Surprisingly our law makers put enough teeth in the law and it is upto us to utilize it.

In fact my neighbor was so creative in utilizing this law. For long, he suspects that some expensive houses in his area are paying less property tax than him as they bribed the corporation officials. Now he wants to use this law to find out the truth and fight it out.

I encourage members to post their own experiences or any news clips where this act is used to reduce corruption or any creative ideas like above to fight corruption.

Guest · Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2005 11:57 am Post subject:

Just making acts is not enough. Implementing them is important. Coorupt officers are saying that they cannot put all information out and paying fine is not problem for them.

Guest · Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2005 9:24 pm Post subject:

So far we don't even have this law. The penalties for officials not cooperating is very severe. I can't think of any existing law that goes this far.

There is definitely a need for citizen advisory boards, and other organizations including web sites like this in spreading the awareness. There are few instances in Maharastra where it worked well. In one instance a reporter exposed politicians who are behind the frequent transfer of police officers. Though he couldn't get the complete identity of the politicains but he was successful in stopping the transfers and the politicians were real scared to interfere any more. Ever since the process became transparent.