Intro

The right to information is a fundamental human right that allows citizens to access information
held by public authorities. It is an essential tool for promoting transparent and accountable
governance, enabling citizens to hold their governments accountable for their actions. In recent
years, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of the right to information in
promoting good governance and fighting corruption. Governments around the world are
increasingly enshrining this right in law, recognizing that transparency and accountability are
critical for building trust between citizens and their governments. In this article, we will explore
why the right to information is essential for transparent and accountable governance, looking at
examples from around the world to illustrate the impact of this fundamental right. Whether you
are a citizen, a journalist, or a member of a civil society organization, understanding the
importance of the right to information is critical for promoting good governance and ensuring
that governments are held accountable to their citizens.

In any democratic society, it is crucial to have transparency and accountability in governance.

This is where the right to information comes into play. The right to information is a fundamental
right that allows citizens to access information about the functioning of the government and its
policies. It is essential for holding those in power accountable for their actions and ensuring that
the government is working for the benefit of the people. In this day and age where information is
readily available, it is even more critical to have access to accurate and reliable information. The
right to information empowers citizens to participate in the decision-making process and hold
those in power responsible for their actions. In this article, we will explore why the right to
information is essential for transparent and accountable governance and how it can help us build
a more just and equitable society.

The Right to Information (RTI) is a fundamental right that empowers citizens to access
information from public authorities. The RTI Act was first introduced in India in 2005, and since
then, it has played a crucial role in ensuring transparent and accountable governance across the
country. The RTI Act has given power to the people to demand information from the government
and hold public authorities accountable for their actions.

The right to information is essential for transparent and accountable governance as it ensures that
public authorities work in the public interest and not the interest of a select few. It enables
citizens to monitor government functioning and hold officials accountable for their actions. With
the RTI Act in place, citizens can access information related to government policies, schemes,
and projects. This information can be used to question the government's decisions and actions
and seek redressal if necessary.

The RTI Act has also helped in exposing corruption and malpractices in government offices.
Citizens can use the RTI Act to access information related to government contracts, tenders, and
other financial transactions. This information can be used to identify irregularities and corrupt
practices and take appropriate action against the wrongdoers. The RTI Act has also helped in
bringing transparency to the functioning of political parties by making it mandatory for them to
disclose their sources of funding and expenditure.

Moreover, the RTI Act has played a crucial role in promoting participatory democracy by
empowering citizens to participate in the decision-making process. With access to information,
citizens can provide feedback and suggestions on government policies and programs. This helps
in making the decision-making process more inclusive and democratic.

In conclusion, the Right to Information Act is a powerful tool that has brought about a significant
change in the functioning of the government. It has made the government more accountable and
transparent and has empowered citizens to participate in the decision-making process. The RTI
Act has helped in exposing corruption and malpractices and has made the government more
responsive to the needs of the people. Therefore, the right to information is essential for
transparent and accountable governance.

The Right to Information (RTI) is essential for transparent and accountable governance because
it empowers citizens to access information held by public authorities, promotes openness and
transparency in government decision-making processes, and encourages public participation in
governance.

The RTI Act, 2005, in India, is a landmark legislation that provides every citizen with the right to
access information held by public authorities. The Act mandates the disclosure of information
related to government functioning, thereby promoting transparency and accountability in
governance.

Some of the famous Indian case laws related to the RTI Act in administrative law are as follows:

State of Uttar Pradesh v. Raj Narain: This case is a landmark judgment that laid down the
principle that citizens have the right to know about the activities of the government. The
Supreme Court held that the right to information is implicit in the right to free speech and
expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.
Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India v. Cricket
Association of Bengal: In this case, the Supreme Court held that the RTI Act was enacted to
promote transparency and accountability in government functioning. The court held that public
authorities cannot deny access to information on the ground that it is confidential or privileged,
unless such denial is justified by the exemptions provided in the Act.

Central Board of Secondary Education v. Aditya Bandopadhyay: In this case, the Supreme Court
held that the RTI Act is a tool to ensure transparency and accountability in governance. The
court held that the Act overrides the Official Secrets Act and that citizens have a right to access
information held by public authorities, subject to the exemptions provided in the Act.

Girish Ramchandra Deshpande v. Central Information Commission: In this case, the Supreme
Court held that citizens have the right to access information about public servants, including their
assets and liabilities, under the RTI Act. The court held that such information is not exempted
under the Act and that the public has a right to know about the assets and liabilities of public
servants.

Overall, these cases demonstrate the crucial role of the RTI Act in promoting transparency and
accountability in governance, and highlight the importance of citizens' right to access
information held by public authorities.