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The RTI Story: Power to the People

Ken Simmons

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The Right to Information (RTI) movement is a global movement that seeks to give citizens the right to access information held by public authorities. The RTI movement began in India in 2005, when the Right to Information Act was passed. The Act gives citizens the right to request information from any public authority, and requires the authority to provide the information within 30 days.

The RTI Story: Power to the People

by Edward B. Foley

4.6 out of 5

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The RTI Act has been a powerful tool for empowering citizens and holding the government accountable. In India, the RTI Act has been used to expose corruption, improve public services, and strengthen democracy. The RTI movement has also spread to other countries around the world, and has helped to bring about similar laws in many countries.

How the RTI Act Works

The RTI Act is a simple law that gives citizens the right to access information held by public authorities. The Act applies to all public authorities, including government departments, local councils, and state-owned companies. Citizens can request information from any public authority, regardless of their reason for requesting the information.

To request information under the RTI Act, citizens must submit a written request to the public authority. The request must specify the information that is being requested, and the purpose for which the information is being requested. The public authority must then provide the information within 30 days. If the public authority does not provide the information within 30 days, the citizen can appeal to the Central Information Commission or the State Information Commission.

The Impact of the RTI Act

The RTI Act has had a profound impact on India. The Act has helped to expose corruption, improve public services, and strengthen democracy. The RTI Act has also helped to empower citizens and give them a greater voice in their government.

Here are some examples of how the RTI Act has been used to improve India:

The RTI Act has been used to expose corruption in the government. In one case, an RTI request revealed that a government official had embezzled millions of dollars from a public works project.
The RTI Act has been used to improve public services. In one case, an RTI request revealed that a school was not providing basic amenities to its students. The school was subsequently forced to improve its services.
The RTI Act has been used to strengthen democracy. In one case, an RTI request revealed that a government official was using his position to influence elections. The official was subsequently removed from office.

The RTI Act is a powerful tool for empowering citizens and holding the government accountable. The Act has made a real difference in India, and it has the potential to make a difference in other countries around the world.

The RTI Movement

The RTI movement is a global movement that seeks to give citizens the right to access information held by public authorities. The RTI movement began in India in 2005, when the Right to Information Act was passed. The Act has since been adopted by many other countries around the world, and the RTI movement is now active in over 100 countries.

The RTI movement is led by a diverse group of organisations and individuals, including civil society organisations, journalists, lawyers, and activists. The RTI movement has been successful in raising awareness of the importance of access to information, and has helped to bring about positive changes in many countries.

The RTI movement is an important part of the global movement for transparency and accountability. The RTI movement is helping to give citizens the power to hold their governments accountable and to improve their lives.

The RTI story is a powerful example of how citizens can use the law to hold their government accountable and improve their lives. The RTI movement has spread to many countries around the world, and is helping to bring about a more transparent and accountable world.

The RTI Story: Power to the People

by Edward B. Foley

4.6 out of 5