Freedom of Information Laws (FOI) also known in many terms as 'Sunshine laws or Open
Records'. It provides public access to the data held by governments. The secrecy of the government’s
decision making & policy development has marked dissatisfactions among
public towards the authorities which resulted in the legislation of (FOI).
Sweden was
the first nation to implement such a law called The Freedom of Press Act in
1766. In India RTI Act passed by Parliament on
11th May 2005, published in Indian Gazette on 15th June & Act came to
effect on 12th October 2005. Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan group (Rajasthan)
caused the legislation of RTI. Freedom of Information act (2002) was the precursor
to RTI.
Why
RTI?
RTI was
introduced in India with the objective of empowering people, decreasing
corruption, bringing transparency & accountability in the working of the
government. Any citizen of India is entitled to be provided with the
information he seeks for by the government or other public authorities. For
this RTI act dictate every public authority to computerize the data &
respond within 30 days to an application filed under RTI act.
Scope
All the
constitutional authorities, judiciaries, all private or NGOs receiving
substantial funds from government come under the provisions of RTI. Interesting
fact is that no political parties in India are under these provisions
currently.
RTI Act (2005) formed a Central Information Commission (CIC) which has
a Chief Information Commissioner & 10 Information Commissioners.
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