Some people believe that the Official Secrets Act prevents the Right to Information Act from being implemented. Do you share the opinion? Talk about it. (150 words) [UPSC 2019
The Right to Information Act and Accountability Redefining Accountability Citizens' Empowerment: While the Right to Information (RTI) Act empowers citizens by providing them access to information held by public authorities, its impact extends beyond individual empowerment. It fundamentally redefinesRead more
The Right to Information Act and Accountability
Redefining Accountability
Citizens’ Empowerment: While the Right to Information (RTI) Act empowers citizens by providing them access to information held by public authorities, its impact extends beyond individual empowerment. It fundamentally redefines accountability in governance.
Enhanced Transparency: The RTI Act mandates that government actions and decisions be transparent. This transparency compels public officials to be more accountable for their actions. Example: In recent years, RTI applications have uncovered issues like irregularities in public distribution systems and misuse of funds in various schemes, leading to corrective actions.
Systematic Oversight: The Act enables systematic oversight by allowing citizens to request information and hold public bodies accountable. It ensures that officials must justify their decisions and actions, fostering a culture of responsibility. Example: Investigations triggered by RTI queries have led to exposing corruption in construction projects and mismanagement in educational institutions.
Conclusion: The RTI Act not only empowers citizens but also redefines accountability by ensuring transparency, encouraging responsible governance, and facilitating public oversight.
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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:
See lessYes, 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.