Why the Right to Information Is More Important Now Than Before

The Quint: New Delhi: Saturday, August 19, 2017.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday welcomed constructive criticism of his government’s performance because such an action strengthens democracy,” reads the opening line of a Hindustan Times article dated 28 May 2017, after the PM addressed the nation in one of the country’s best received radio programs, called Mann Ki Baat.

Surely, the Right to Information, that has an objective of promoting “transparency and accountability in the working of the Government” and making “our democracy work for the people in real sense,” falls in line with the PM’s hope for a strengthened democracy. Yet, we see a restriction on its potential and a compromise on the security of RTI applicants.

RTI received its biggest blow with the refusal of the government to disclose details of the note ban process. The government not only took a unilateral decision to demonetise the Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, but it also subverted the Act by citing that it could be detrimental to the economic interests of the state.

Govt Should Strengthen, Not Subvert the Act

Considering the fact that demonetisation had serious economic, social and political ramifications across the country, this was a case in which the government was especially accountable to the people.

The ease with which the government continues to withhold information and even successfully sell its decision to the people is a cause for alarm, making it more important than before we recognised this right. With the subversion clearly visible at the top levels, we have reason to believe that it would percolate to the lower levels and render RTI useless.

RTI has proven its potential to check corruption and create accountability in the past. The Adarsh Housing Society scam, 2G scam and the Commonwealth Games scam are just some of the big exposés uncovered by the RTI.

Also Read: No, the New RTI Rules Will Not Restrict Your Questions to the Govt

For the RTI to be successful both, the government and citizens need to work in tandem to strengthen it. Activists should be given protection, attempts to water down the Act’s provisions need to be stopped and efforts must be made to create more awareness about the act.

Accountability is critical in differentiating a democracy from a totalitarian regime. The RTI is a platform which helps us create accountability. Therefore, if the Prime Minister hopes to “strengthen democracy,” like he said, the government must recognise the essence of the right and take it seriously.