“Right to know, is the right to live”

Today The Right to Information Act (RTI) completes 10 years but not many people are aware of this right and how it can be used for the betterment of our society.  The (RTI) act is one of the effective fundamental rights of the citizens of India making the government accountable for its work.

How did RTI come into place?

It all started in 1994 with The Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS) in Rajasthan, a non-party people’s organisation, which demanded it’s panchayat to empower the local people regarding the public expenditure for the area. The sangathan used the means of public hearing to raise responsiveness of the movement. Each public hearing would describe the progress of matter at hand and any discrepancies would be solved face-to-face.

The Rajasthan State Right to Information Act was formally passed by the State Legislature in May 2000 as the campaign gained popularity. The RTI campaign soon became a nationwide interest, social activist, Anna Hazare went on Jan Andolan to implement RTI in the state of Maharashtra, gradually the agitation spread to other parts of India.  It is now recognized that Right to Information legislation is necessary to enable enforcement of the citizens’ fundamental rights under both the Freedom of Expression under Article 19 – (l)A and the Right to Life under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.

How and for what to use the RTI?

Have you ever wondered that we only bicker about the road being filled with potholes and the street corner filled with garbage? Well, here is a way to find out and be the change.

The Right to Information Act (RTI) will help you get to the root of the cause within 30 days of filing an application. With a few simple steps you can file an RTI.

Step 1: You should be well versed with the questions you want to pose and which department it falls under.

Step 2: Fill up the RTI application form and pose your questions wisely. Pay the prescribed fees, note that people below poverty line do not require to pay any fees. Always take a dated and stamped receipt for your RTI application.

Step 3: Post your application or hand it over personally to the ‘TAPAL” also called as Inward/Outward section of the respective department.

Information in some cases is exempted but over the years it has posed to be an excellent tool to exercise our right to get required information and clarifications from the government we elect.

 

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