Ethics in Public Administration

The Right to Information Act and Its Impact on Accountability

**1. Citizen Empowerment:

• The Right to Information (RTI) Act empowers citizens by granting them the right to access information held by public authorities. This transparency allows individuals to understand and scrutinize government actions. For instance, the RTI Act has been instrumental in exposing corruption, such as in the Kolkata West International City scam (2021), where RTI queries revealed discrepancies in land allotments.

**2. Redefinition of Accountability:

• The RTI Act redefines accountability by mandating that public officials and institutions provide clear explanations for their decisions and actions. This requirement ensures that public authorities are answerable to the public. For example, the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) beneficiaries’ data was scrutinized through RTI requests, leading to improved transparency and accountability in the scheme’s implementation.

**3. Increased Transparency:

• The Act promotes transparency by making it mandatory for government bodies to disclose information proactively. This proactive disclosure prevents information hoarding and encourages open governance. The COVID-19 vaccination distribution process was made more transparent through RTI inquiries, leading to better public trust and oversight.

**4. Checks and Balances:

• RTI serves as a check on the abuse of power by providing a mechanism for the public to challenge and question decisions. Recent cases, such as the FIRs related to COVID-19 management, have demonstrated how RTI can be used to hold authorities accountable for their actions.

**5. Public Participation:

• By involving citizens in governance through access to information, the RTI Act enhances public participation in decision-making processes. This participatory approach strengthens democratic practices and ensures that government policies align with public interests.

In summary, the RTI Act not only empowers citizens but also redefines accountability by ensuring that public officials are transparent, answerable, and held responsible for their actions.