Context:
Beawar in Rajasthan, the birthplace of the Right to Information (RTI) movement, marked 20 years of the RTI Act, 2005 with a candlelight march and RTI Mela. Activists celebrated citizen empowerment but raised serious concerns over the erosion of RTI through legal amendments and institutional weakening, especially after the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP), 2023.
Key Highlights / Details
Origins of the RTI Movement
- The RTI movement began in Beawar, Rajasthan in 1994-96, led by Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS) founders Aruna Roy and Nikhil Dey.
- Villagers held jan sunwai (public hearings) demanding transparency in development spending.
- The movement pressured Rajasthan and later the Union government to pass RTI laws (Rajasthan RTI Act—2000; RTI Act, 2005 at national level).
- RTI evolved into a citizen empowerment tool exposing corruption in welfare schemes, pensions, NREGA, ration shops, and land allotments.
Celebration in Beawar
- A candlelight march, folk plays, and RTI stalls were organized to highlight success stories of social audits.
- RTI users from Tamil Nadu, Meghalaya, Uttar Pradesh, and other states shared their experiences.
- Stories showcased how RTI helped expose:
- Overcharging in government hospitals.
- Delays in land allotment and PM Awas Yojana benefits.
- Denial of public rights and benefits.
Concerns Raised by Activists
- Weakening of RTI Institutions
- Information Commissions understaffed:
- Central Information Commission (CIC): 9 out of 11 posts vacant.
- 6 State Information Commissions had no commissioners in 2024.
- Pendency of appeals is over 1 year at CIC.
- Fear of bureaucratic delays reducing accountability.
- 2019 RTI Amendment
- Centre gained power to decide tenure and salaries of Information Commissioners.
- Seen as reducing independence of the RTI watchdog.
- Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP), 2023
- Section 8(1)(j) allows denial of RTI requests citing “personal information”.
- Activists warn it blocks access to public records needed for social audits.
- Critics argue it conflicts with citizens’ right to information.
- Post-Article 370 Impact in J&K
- Jammu & Kashmir had a powerful RTI Act before 2019.
- After abrogation, appeals now go to the CIC in Delhi, causing delays.
Relevant Prelims Points
- RTI Act passed in 2005 under Article 19(1)(a) – Right to Freedom of Speech includes Right to Information.
- Section 4 – Suo motu disclosure by government bodies.
- Information Commissions – CIC + SICs (quasi-judicial bodies).
- Social Audit – Mandated under Section 17 of MGNREGA Act, 2005.
- DPDP Act 2023 – Protects personal data but impacts RTI access.
Relevant Mains Points
- RTI is essential for transparency and accountability.
- Strengthening RTI aligns with constitutional principles.
- Institutional weakening and legal dilution threaten participatory democracy.
- Balancing right to privacy (Justice Puttaswamy case, 2017) and right to information is a major constitutional challenge.
Possible Mains Question
Discuss the challenges faced in the implementation of the Right to Information Act, 2005. How does the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 affect the spirit of transparency in governance?