TITLE: RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT, 2005- OVERVIEW OF

GOOD GOVERNANCE

Subject Name: Principles & Practice of Management

Academic Year: 2024-2025

Semester: V

Submitted by

STUDENT NAME: SANA SURESH JANBANDHU

UID: UGB22-46

Submitted to

Dr. Kailash Wasave

Assistant Professor of Law.

MAHARASHTRA NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY, NAGPUR

 Table of Contents

Sr.No. Particulars Page No.

i Table of Abbreviations

ii Table of Figures

iii Table of Charts

1 Introduction

2 Literature Review

3 Research Methodology

4 Data Interpretation & Analysis

5 Findings

6 Conclusions

7 Limitations & Suggestions

iv Bibliography

v Annexures
 Right to Information Act, 2005- Overview of Good Governance

INTRODUCTION

An important piece of legislation in India, the Right to Information Act (RTI) of 2005, was
designed to encourage accountability and openness in the operations of all public authorities.
The RTI Act, which was passed by the Indian Parliament, gives people the right to request
information from public bodies in an effort to foster transparency and lessen corruption. An
in-depth review of the RTI Act, its role in promoting good governance, and its effects on
public administration in India is provided. The Act has been praised as an instrument for
good governance, guaranteeing that the government stays answerable to the people it serves.

OVERVIEW OF GOOD GOVERNANCE:

Transparency, accountability, responsiveness, equity, and inclusivity are traits of good

governance. Realizing these ideals is made possible in large part by the RTI Act, 2005, which
guarantees public access to information, allowing citizens to participate in governance with
knowledge.

KEY PROVISIONS OF RTI ACT, 2005

Several important measures aimed at facilitating the right to information are included in the
RTI Act, 2005:

1. Right to Access Information: Subject to a few exceptions, every citizen is entitled to

access information kept by public agencies under Section 3 of the Act.
2. Public Authorities Obligations: Public bodies are required by Section 4 to keep
records that are properly categorized and catalogued for convenient access.
 3. Information Commissions: The Act establishes State and Central Information
Commissions to hear appeals and complaints pertaining to information access.
4. Exemptions: Information impacting trade secrets, personal privacy, and national
security are only a few examples of the particular exemptions listed in Sections 8 and
9 where disclosure of information is not necessary.

ROLE OF RTI IN PROMOTING TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY:

The RTI Act has made a substantial contribution to improving accountability and openness in
public administration. The Act guarantees that public authorities are answerable to the people
by granting citizens access to information about governmental decisions and processes.
Citizens who are aware and able to hold public authorities accountable for their actions are
the results of transparent governance.

IMPACT ON REDUCING CORRUPTION:

The RTI Act's contribution to the reduction of corruption has been one of its major effects.
Through increased transparency in governmental procedures, the Act has discouraged corrupt
behaviour by public servants. The use of finances, project execution, and the operation of
different government programs are now all subject to public inquiry. This has reduced the
number of cases of corruption by raising awareness of and examination of public servants.

CONTRIBUTION OF RTI ACT, 2005 TO GOOD GOVERNANCE:

1. Transparency: Citizens no longer need to submit requests for information because the
RTI Act requires public authorities to provide information suo moto through a variety
of channels. The proactive disclosure of this nature improves the transparency of
government functions.
2. Accountability: The RTI Act makes public authorities responsible for their actions by
giving citizens a legal basis to request information. The act's penalty provisions for
non-compliance serve as a disincentive to engage in malpractice.
3. Empowerment of Citizens: By granting citizens the freedom to request information,
the RTI Act promotes a participatory governance culture. This technology allows
citizens to keep an eye on government operations and make sure their rights are
upheld.
 4. Reduction in Corruption: Since public officials are aware that their acts are being
scrutinized, corruption has decreased as a result of the RTI Act's increased
transparency and accountability.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE:

1. To evaluate how the RTI Act of 2005 contributes to accountability and transparency
in government.
2. To identify the difficulties and barriers preventing the RTI Act from being
implemented effectively.
3. to examine and talk about important RTI Act cases that have affected Indian
governance.

RESEARCH QUESTION:

1. In what ways has the RTI Act, 2005 improved accountability and transparency in
Indian government?
2. What obstacles must be overcome in order for the RTI Act to be implemented, and
how can they be done so?
3. Which RTI Act cases are noteworthy and have had a big influence on Indian
governance practices?

CHALLENGES IN IMPLEMENTATION:

1. Accessibility and Awareness: Although the RTI Act has great potential, many people
are not aware of their rights under it, particularly in rural regions. Additionally,
bureaucratic roadblocks and inadequate infrastructure can make it difficult to obtain
information.
2. Administrative obstacles: Citing several statute exemptions, public entities frequently
postpone or reject requests for information. This makes the RTI Act less effective and
deters people from requesting information.
3. Safety of RTI Activists: The effective execution of the act is seriously threatened by
the incidents of violence and harassment that have been directed towards RTI
 activists. It is imperative that these activists be protected if the RTI regime is to
remain successful.

CASE LAW:

1. Adharsh Housing Society Scam

In the Adarsh Housing Society scam, politicians, bureaucrats, and their families were
illegally given apartments intended for veterans and war widows. RTI activists exposed the
corruption and inconsistencies in the allocation process by requesting information about it. A
number of officials resigned as a result of the revelations, and the public's awareness of
power abuse rose.

2. Public Distribution System (PDS) in Delhi

Large-scale corruption in Delhi's Public Distribution System (PDS) was made public by RTI
applications. RTI information exposed disparities in the distribution of ration cards and the
misappropriation of food grains intended for the underprivileged. The disclosure resulted in
PDS modifications that improved service delivery to the intended beneficiaries.

CONCLUSION:

In conclusion, it has become clear that the Right to Information Act, 2005, is a crucial tool for
improving good governance in India. It has bolstered democratic institutions, given citizens
more influence, and encouraged accountability and openness in public management. A more
transparent, accountable, and responsive governance system will be shaped by the Act as it
develops and responds to new issues.
 Bibliography

Articles:

Books:

Journals: 1. Sharma, R. (2019). "Impact of RTI on Public Distribution System in Delhi."

Indian Journal of Social Sciences, 14(2), 112-128.

2. Jain, N. (2017). "Transparency and Accountability in Governance: The Role of Right to

Information Act, 2005." Journal of Public Administration, 23(4), 35-47.

3. Roy, A. (2014). The Role of RTI in Combating Corruption in India. Asian Journal of
Political Science, 22(3), 245-262.

Websites: 1. "Adarsh Housing Society Scam: An Overview." (2012). The Economic Times.
Available at: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/adarsh-housing-
society-scam-an-overview/articleshow/11560701.cms

2. "Public Distribution System Corruption Exposed by RTI." (2014). The Hindu. Available
at:

https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/public-distribution-system-corruption-exposed-
by-rti/article6091142.ece

3. Right to Information Act, 2005. Available at: https://rti.gov.in/