The RTI Act, enacted in 2005, was designed to strengthen democracy by giving citizens the legal right to access information from public authorities. It is a law born from the simple yet profound belief that information is power, and when people have access to it, governance becomes more transparent. Over the years, RTI has empowered individuals to question decisions, demand records, and expose irregularities in every level of government.
At its core, RTI is about empowering citizens. It ensures that the government does not remain a closed book, but rather an open system accountable to the people it serves. By allowing access to official documents, records, and decisions, the law has broken down barriers of secrecy that long shielded corruption and inefficiency. The RTI has been instrumental in uncovering scams, irregularities, and misuse of public funds.
The value of RTI is most evident in developmental and infrastructure projects, where public money often flows in large sums and accountability tends to be weak. Roads that exist only on paper, schools that were sanctioned but never built, or health centres that remain non-functional despite hefty allocations, such stories are not uncommon. Without tools like RTI, many such cases would never come to light. It is only when individuals file applications, demand records, and cross-check claims against reality that the truth emerges.
Concerns are sometimes raised about the misuse of RTI, with officials complaining of frivolous or repetitive applications. While such instances may exist, they are the exception rather than the rule. To dismiss or weaken RTI because of potential misuse would be to deny citizens a fundamental right. In fact, the overwhelming evidence shows that the law has done more good than harm, by exposing corruption, preventing wastage, and creating a culture of transparency.
Equally important is the protection of those who use RTI. Many applicants face pressure, intimidation, or even threats when they uncover sensitive information. Their courage must be acknowledged and safeguarded, for they are performing a public service. Citizens who invoke RTI are not acting for personal gain; they are standing up for justice, fairness, and accountability in governance.
A recent case in Nagaland, where an RTI application revealed glaring inconsistencies in a multi-crore road project, is just one illustration of the law’s continuing relevance. It showed how official claims of “completed” works can be challenged and tested against facts on the ground. Whether or not the authorities act swiftly on such revelations, the exposure itself is proof of RTI’s power. At the very least, it compels public departments to explain themselves and keeps the spotlight on transparency.
The broader lesson here is that democracy thrives in the light, not in darkness. RTI is a people’s weapon against corruption and malpractice. Instead of weakening it, governments should strengthen its implementation and ensure that citizens can exercise it without fear. For a country still striving for clean and accountable governance, RTI remains one of our strongest shields, one we cannot afford to let dull.