Answer By law4u team
The objective of the RTI Act, 2005 (Right to Information Act) is to promote transparency and accountability in the functioning of public authorities and to empower citizens to access information under the control of the government. Here are the key objectives of the RTI Act: 1. Promote transparency and accountability: It ensures that the operations and decisions of public authorities are open to scrutiny, reducing corruption and misuse of power. 2. Empower citizens: The Act gives citizens the legal right to seek information from government departments, which strengthens participatory democracy. 3. Reduce corruption: By allowing people to ask questions and access records, the Act creates a system of checks and discourages corrupt practices. 4. Improve governance: Public authorities are more careful and responsible in decision-making, knowing that their actions may be questioned or reviewed. 5. Strengthen democracy: RTI bridges the gap between the government and the public. It makes the government more responsive and people-centric. 6. Ensure access to information: The Act mandates timely response to citizen requests (usually within 30 days), making it easier for individuals to get necessary records and documents. 7. Promote public participation: When citizens are informed, they can participate more effectively in governance and policy implementation. 8. Protect whistleblowers: Though the Act itself does not directly protect whistleblowers, it encourages exposure of wrongdoing, and many whistleblowers have used RTI as a tool for public good. In short, the RTI Act aims to make government more open, transparent, and accountable, thereby strengthening the roots of democracy in India.