Important Features of the Right to Information Act, 2005

Important Features of the Right to Information Act, 2005:

· Every citizen possesses the right to information.

· The term information includes any mode of information in

any form of record, document, email, circular, press release,

contract sample or electronic data etc

Right to information covers inspection of work, document,

record and its certified copy and information in any other

electronic mode.

· Applicant can obtain information within 30 days from the

date of request in a normal case.

· Information can be obtained within 48 hours from time of filing the request if it is a matter of life or liberty of a person.

· Every public authority is under obligation to provide information on written request or request by electronic

means.

· Certain information is prohibited for security reasons.

· Penalty for not providing information is Rs. 250/ per day but the total amount of penalty should not exceed Rs. 25,000. The copying charges are Rs. 2/- per page for documents and Rs. 50/- for Floppies, Diskettes or DVDs.

· Central Information Commission and State Information Commission are to be constituted by the Central Government

and the respective State Governments.

· No Court can entertain any suit, application or other proceedings in respect of any order made under the Act.

Corruption is an evil which is eating the vitality of the administrative system in India resulting in various social, political

and economical degradations.

It is a fact that corruption is a crime that is done under the veil protection of administration and governance.

But this Act somehow became the barrier of such corrupt barter system.

RTI Act brings the two most important

tools ‘transparency and accountability’ together for eradicating the

evil that becomes hindrance to good governance.

The Act envisages the harmonization of public interests with the right to

information. However, there are some areas where the public

interest demands some element of secrecy. Where it has been felt

that certain area of governance have to be kept outside the purview of the RTI Act, the same have been exempted under the specific provisions envisaged under the Act. Thus, a harmonious balance has been tried between the two.

6. RTI thus became a tool for promoting participatory development,

strengthening democratic governance and facilitating effective delivery of socio-economic services. In the knowledge society, in which we live today, acquisition of information and new knowledge and its application have intense and pervasive impact

on processes of taking informed decisions, resulting in overall productivity gains.

7. Therefore, in one word, the purpose of the Act is to promote openness, transparency and accountability in administration.