Verify Account

The free flow of information is a must for a democratic society as it helps the society to grow and to retain a continuous debate and discussion among the people. No democratic government can survive without accountability and the basic postulate of accountability is that the people should have information about the functioning of the government. Gone are the days when public dealings were kept in strict secret, a practice which often led to corruption, misuse and abuse of statutory and administrative power. Freedom of information brings openness in the administration which helps to promote transparency in state affairs, keep the government more accountable and ultimately reduce corruption. Disclosure of information in regard to the functioning of the government must be the rule and secrecy an exception. Right to Information Act has got a demand and a supply side. Its demand side gives public a right to seek information from public authorities. The supply side involves voluntary disclosure of information by the public authorities. The people who voted for the formation of democratically elected Governments and paid taxes to finance public activities had no legal rights to know as to what process has been followed in framing the policies affecting them, how the programs have been implemented, who are the concerned officials associated with the decision making process and execution of the schemes and why the promises made for delivery of essential goods and services to the poor have not been fulfilled. Not surprisingly, the culture of secrecy beginning from the colonial rule till the first six decades of independence fuelled rampant corruption. Lack of openness and accountability in the functioning of the Government not only bred inefficiency but perpetuated all forms of poverty.

This book will be useful as a source for further reference for the students, scholars and academicians to have sufficient knowledge about the present situation about the role of the Right to Information Act 2005. This RTI act is a tool in strengthening democracy to the citizens. The citizens are empowered towards getting the information about the government. We the Editor‘s, took our efforts in bringing the book with the relevant information related to RTI Act. We would like to acknowledge all my warm wishes to chapter contributors. Our heartfelt thanks to our well-wishers for their valuable suggestions from time to time in my academic career development. We are also grateful to acknowledge our thanks to friends who encouraged us directly and indirectly in bringing this book. We thank all the chapter contributors for their wonderful support and co-operation in bringing this book, without their support and encouragement this won‘t be successful.