RIGHT TO INFORMATION AND GOOD GOVERNANCE IN INDIA

Abstract Accountability, transparency, freedom of speech and expressions etc; are inalienable feature of any democratic system. And the importance of these becomes more when it comes to such a diverse country like India. Right to Information Act, 2005 is a step ahead in achievement of these ideals. The preamble of the Act itself provides that “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”. The transformation from mere governance to good governance is possible only if the citizens of the country have right and access to information of and participation in the governance. The good governance is the governance in which people are served by their representatives not ruled by their representatives. Participation of people is sine qua non of any democratic form of government in achieving the ideal of good governance and RTI is a measure step towards this goal. RTI, not only brings transparency, accountability in governance but also act as the deterrent against the arbitrary actions, policies, and decisions of public authorities. Therefore, RTI, undoubtedly strengthen the governance.