Describe the fundamental tenets of the citizens charter movement and emphasize its significance (150 words) [UPSC 2019]
Official Secrets Act and Right to Information Act Agreement with the View: **1. Official Secrets Act and Its Impact a. Purpose and Limitations: The Official Secrets Act (OSA) of 1923 aims to protect sensitive government information related to national security and public safety. It restricts the disRead more
Official Secrets Act and Right to Information Act
Agreement with the View:
**1. Official Secrets Act and Its Impact
a. Purpose and Limitations:
The Official Secrets Act (OSA) of 1923 aims to protect sensitive government information related to national security and public safety. It restricts the disclosure of information deemed confidential, which can conflict with the principles of transparency and accountability promoted by the Right to Information Act (RTI) 2005.
b. Obstacle to Transparency:
The OSA can limit the scope of information accessible under RTI, thereby hindering the public’s right to know. For instance, in 2020, the Delhi High Court found that certain information withheld under the OSA was not directly related to national security and should be disclosed under RTI.
**2. Discussion and Recent Examples
a. Balancing Act:
While the OSA is essential for safeguarding national interests, it sometimes conflicts with the RTI Act’s goals. For example, the RTI application seeking details on the Rafale aircraft deal faced delays and denials based on the OSA, raising concerns about its overreach.
b. Recent Case:
In 2021, the Supreme Court ruled that information about the appointment of officials under the OSA should be provided if it does not compromise national security, illustrating the need for a balanced approach between secrecy and transparency.
Conclusion:
Yes, the Official Secrets Act can act as an obstacle to the effective implementation of the Right to Information Act. Ensuring a balance between national security and transparency is crucial for maintaining public trust and accountability.
Principles of the Citizens' Charter Movement Citizens' Charter is a concept aimed at enhancing public service delivery by setting clear standards of service and ensuring accountability in governance. The basic principles of this movement include: Transparency: Public services should clearly communicRead more
Principles of the Citizens’ Charter Movement
Citizens’ Charter is a concept aimed at enhancing public service delivery by setting clear standards of service and ensuring accountability in governance. The basic principles of this movement include:
Importance
The Citizens’ Charter movement is crucial as it:
Conclusion
The Citizens’ Charter movement, through its principles of transparency, accountability, participation, and redressal, plays a pivotal role in improving public service delivery and fostering trust between citizens and government.
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