RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT: AN OVERVIEW

Abstract

Fair, Good & transparent governance, as a concept, is applicable to all sections of society such as the government, legislature, judiciary, the media, the private sector, the corporate sector, the co-operatives, societies registered under the Societies Registration Act, duly registered trusts, autonomous Institutes, organisations such as the trade unions and lastly the non government organisations (NGOs). Public accountability and transparency are part and parcel of fair governance and as relevant for the one as for the other. It is only when all these and various other sections of society conduct their affairs in a socially responsible manner that the objective of achieving larger good of the largest number of people in society can be achieved. Right to Information Act, 2005 represents a mile stone to encourage good governance in India and most revolutionary Act since Independence. It aims at promoting transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority. The present paper has an attempt to find out in what ways Right to Information Act is a powerful tool for good governance and also provides guidance to citizens in accessing the government information under this Act.