report writting: 1) what is right information act? 2)how does democracy make the government more transperent?
Answers
Answer:
1)
An RTI can be filed to any ‘public authority’ as defined in Section 2(h) of the Act. In simple terms, a public authority is any authority or body established by the Constitution or under a law made by the Parliament or State legislature. A public authority can also be a body constituted by a notification or order issued by the appropriate government. It includes any institution that is owned, controlled, or substantially financed by the government.
The definition of public authorities even covers information pertaining to private bodies. This is related to records submitted by a private body to the government. Thus if the government is legally in possession of information by private bodies, then the same can be accessed under RTI. These may include co-operative housing societies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and privately (non-aided) run schools/colleges.
For example, co-operative housing societies have to comply with the rules and regulations of the Co-operative Societies Act and accordingly submit documents to them. These documents like the registration, audit report, management committee details, and others can be accessed under RTI. Also since all private deemed universities are established by virtue of a notification issued under the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act, they are public authorities and thus fall under the ambit of RTI.
What are the obligations of public authorities?
Section 4(1) of the RTI Act defines the obligations of public authorities. Every public authority must maintain all its records. They must be duly catalogued and indexed in a manner that facilitates easy dispersal of information under the right to information under this Act. It is to ensure that all appropriate records are computerised and connected through a network all over the country on different systems for easy access.
The authority must publish information pertaining to its organisation, functions, and duties. It must explain publicly the powers and duties of its officers and employees. Further, it must enunciate the procedure followed in its decision-making process, and the norms and rules followed by it in discharging its functions. It must issue a statement of the categories of documents that are held by it or are under its control.
It must also publish a directory of its officers and the system of remuneration for their services. It must make public details of its Public Information Officer such as name, designation and contact details. Information relating to avenues and channels for obtaining information from the authority must be made public in an easy and accessible way. It must publish all relevant facts that were taken into consideration in policy formulation. It must also provide reasons for its administrative and quasi-judicial decision to persons affected by its decisions.
Details of its financial plans and budget allocations must be made public. Further, it must illustrate the execution of subsidy programmes and provide details of the expenditures incurred. If any concessions and permits have been granted by it then details of the recipients of these must be included. It must clearly state the details of arrangements made for consultation in relation to policymaking. Details of board or councils or committees must be furnished along with minutes of their meetings.