Right to Information (RTI) meaning “Soochna Ka Adhikar” is a powerful tool for common people that has been implemented in the year 2005 by the Central Government, which in turn is also followed by the states and UTs of India. Likewise, the state of Bihar has also accepted the RTI Act in 2005 with minor changes in the central rules.
In fact, Bihar Government has earned plaudits for its telephonic RTI programme ‘Jankari’ and also the online and offline RTI programmes. In the past 5 years, the people of Bihar have got the crucial information through the RTI Act, 2005. However , few RTI activists have also lost their lives in Bihar due to powerful mafia and criminals.
Despite its cons, the RTI in Bihar can be ranked as a useful as well as very handy arm guard for common people.
As per the website of Bihar State Election Commission the RTI ACT, 2005 is described as follows:
An Act to provide for setting out the practical regime of right to information for citizens to secure access to information under the control of public authorities, in order to promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority, the constitution of a Central Information Commission and State Information Commissions and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
Whereas the Constitution of India has established democratic Republic;
And whereas democracy requires an informed citizenry and transparency of information which are vital to its functioning and also to contain corruption and to hold Governments and their instrumentalities accountable to the governed.
And whereas revelation of information in actual practice is likely to conflict with other public interests including efficient operations of the Governments, optimum use of limited fiscal resources and the preservation of confidentiality of sensitive information;
And whereas it is necessary to harmonise these conflicting interests while preserving the paramountcy of the democratic ideal;
Now, therefore, it is expedient to provide for furnishing certain information to citizens who desire to have it.
Website of State Information Commission Bihar
Website of State Information Commission Bihar
