The Hindu Business Line : Making RTI effective

The RTI Act, 2005, has made little impact so far. The Act puts in place implementation mechanisms, processes and methodologies. Bihar is one State which has made a beginning in the right direction, where a person can file an RTI application by simply dialling the helpline number.

It does away with all the cumbersome procedures and unwanted paperwork. It is a boon for the illiterates. And for the literates, an electronic mail facility can be introduced. For the Act to become successful, it has to be properly implemented. Governance is the key to its success.

Ashok Jayaram, Bangalore

An inalienable right has been conferred on the people of India through the passage of the RTI Act, 2005. The Act allows us to assess and examine government decisions and actions. The information so gathered can be used to ensure that the Government acts in a transparent, just and responsible manner.

The objectives of the Act are indeed laudable. But the success of this legislation depends on how well it is utilised by people and how sincerely and honestly the provisions of the Act are implemented.

Dr K.K. Ammannaya, Udupi

There is an imperative need to reach out to the masses, familiarise them with their privileges, brief them on the limits beyond which they cannot transgress. I feel the authorities should carry out a media drive, as is being given to HIV/AIDS, to publicise the procedures/privileges under the RTI Act.

M. S. Vaidyanathan, Chennai

K. Nagarajan

In a democratic country like India every citizen has the right to know how the Government functions. Realising the importance of this, the Government has introduced the RTI Act.

It should focus more on creating awareness about the RTI Act among the people in rural, urban and semi-urban areas. It should also gain the confidence of the public and ensure adequate protection to the information seekers.

K. Nagarajan, Bangalore

To make the RTI more effective, the penal provision such as imposing fine on the erring officials should be followed. The major hurdle in the effective implementation of the Act is the half-hearted support from the Government.

S. Nallasivan, Tirunelveli

The lack of specifics in the RTI Act has lead to different interpretations and unnecessary confusion. To resolve the dilemma, each department should notify the list of records that it deems sensitive. Secondly, punitive action should be taken on citizens or groups intending to misuse the mechanism to demand access to trivial information. The State Information Commission (SIC) should debar these citizens from filing RTI applications for a year.

A large State like Tamil Nadu has just one SIC bench located in Chennai. State Governments could open additional SIC benches in remote districts on the lines of High Court benches to make them more approachable.

P.H. Karthik, Chennai

We need a transparent public system. Though an ordinary citizen can file a writ petition to claim his fundamental rights, he may face many threats. To make RTI more effective, people should be literate, ethical, united and elect responsible persons for public office.

Venkatraman Ramjee, e-mail

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