International Journal of Contemporary Research In Multidisciplinary, 2024;3(3):15-21
E-Governance in Right to Information Act: Importance, Scope, Positive and Negative Implications
Author Name: Aradhya Bindal;
Paper Type: review paper
Article Information
Abstract:
This paper focuses on how the objective of good governance can be achieved by integrating the e-governance mechanism in the Right to Information law (herein after referred to as RTI). The mechanism of e-governance refers to the use of technology to make government services more available, efficient, and effective. The success of these efforts to improve Indian government hinges on overcoming a number of obstacles. These challenges include a need for more awareness, inadequate infrastructure, privacy concerns and bureaucratic red tape. To overcome these challenges, the government should invest in digital infrastructure, simplify processes, increase public awareness, strengthen legal frameworks, enhance capacity building, and protect data privacy. By overcoming these challenges, one can ensure greater transparency, accountability, and citizen participation. The RTI legislation in India has been in place since 2005, but we have yet to be able to use it to maximum benefit. E-governance is one of the ways to use RTI to its full potential. Doctrinal Methodology (via secondary sources) is used to reach this verdict. The E-governance mechanism ensures maximum access and faster response from the authorities. E-governance in RTI fulfils the larger purpose of RTI, which is good governance. This paper will discuss the legality, working and lacunae in law for integrating e-governance mechanisms in RTI. It also aims to compare the e-governance mechanism of various countries, such as but not limited to Sweden and the UK and discuss what India can learn from the same. This paper will benefit researchers, policymakers and the general public in understanding the concept of e-governance with RTI holistically.
Keywords:
Artificial intelligence, digital, e-governance, right to information
Introduction:
Article 19(1) of the Indian Constitution makes information a fundamental right. The Indian parliament passed the Right to Information (RTI) Act of 2005 to encourage transparency and accountability and give citizens more opportunities to participate in the democratic process. It has helped to bring instances of wrongdoing, inefficiency, and corruption among public officials to light. The 2005 Right to Information Act allowed Indians to question their government to encourage transparency, free thought, and good governance. In the context of the Act, "good governance" means the rules, practises, and systems that ensure the RTI Act is carried out in an open, accountable, and helpful way. Transparency means making information accessible for the public to find and use. In the context of RTI, it means that government agencies and public authorities should give information to the public without waiting for someone to ask for it. This includes information about how the government works, its policies, and its decisions. Accountability means public officials and institutions are responsible for their actions and decisions. Responsibility in the context of RTI means that public officials should be held accountable if they break the RTI Act or any other laws about transparency and accountability. Responsiveness means that public officials and institutions should answer requests for information quickly and effectively. In the context of RTI, public authorities should respond to RTI requests within the time limit and give complete and accurate information.
How to Cite this Article:
Aradhya Bindal. E-Governance in Right to Information Act: Importance, Scope, Positive and Negative Implications. International Journal of Contemporary Research in Multidisciplinary. 2024: 3(3):15-21
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