The Right to Information (RTI) Act, crucial for transparency and accountability, is increasingly becoming ineffective, often termed a "dead letter." Delays and Backlog: Significant delays in appointing Information Commissioners have led to a backlog of cases. For instance, the Central Information CoRead more
The Right to Information (RTI) Act, crucial for transparency and accountability, is increasingly becoming ineffective, often termed a “dead letter.”
Delays and Backlog: Significant delays in appointing Information Commissioners have led to a backlog of cases. For instance, the Central Information Commission (CIC) faced a backlog of over 36,000 cases in 2020.
RTI Amendment Act, 2019: This amendment gave the central government control over the tenure and salaries of Information Commissioners, undermining their autonomy and effectiveness.
Increased Rejections: Public authorities are increasingly rejecting RTI requests on vague grounds, with information on political funding and public projects often withheld.
Harassment of Activists: RTI activists face threats and violence, discouraging citizens from using the RTI Act. Notable cases include the murders of activists like Amit Jethwa and Satish Shetty.
Non-Compliance by Authorities: Many government departments fail to proactively disclose information as mandated, forcing citizens to file RTI requests.
Judicial Limitations: Some judicial rulings, like the Supreme Court’s decision in CBSE v. Aditya Bandopadhyay (2011), have limited the scope of the RTI Act.
These issues undermine the RTI Act’s effectiveness, diminishing its role in promoting transparency and accountability.
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Although the Indian Constitution doesn't explicitly mention the term "federalism," its spirit is deeply embedded in its fabric. Federalism is a system where power is divided between a central authority and constituent units, like states. In India, the Constitution allocates powers between the CentreRead more
Although the Indian Constitution doesn’t explicitly mention the term “federalism,” its spirit is deeply embedded in its fabric. Federalism is a system where power is divided between a central authority and constituent units, like states.
In India, the Constitution allocates powers between the Centre and states through a three-list system:
– Union List (Centre’s powers)
– State List (states’ powers)
– Concurrent List (shared powers)
This division of powers ensures that states have significant autonomy, while the Centre maintains national integrity. The Constitution also provides for institutions like the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) and the Inter-State Council to facilitate cooperation and resolve disputes between states and the Centre.
The Constitution’s Seventh Schedule and Articles 245-263 elaborate on this framework.
In practice, India’s federalism is a dynamic balance between unity and diversity, allowing for regional aspirations and national integration to coexist. So, while the term “federalism” might not be explicitly mentioned, its principles are deeply ingrained in the Indian Constitution, making it an integral part of the country’s functioning. This federal structure has enabled India to celebrate its diversity while maintaining national unity, promoting a sense of shared citizenship and fostering cooperation among states to address common challenges.
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