Empowering the Citizens through the Right to Information Act in India

Undoubtedly it is the wish of every citizen to enjoy equity and fairness in the processes of the government. However, it is no easy task to ensure such ideal condition unless there is a legislation to guarantee the same. Rising to the occasion, the Government of India had passed a legislation known as the Right to Information Act, 2005 which was enforced with effect from 12th October, 2005. The basic principle of the Right to Information Act is to maintain a flow of information about the pattern of services provided by the Government through its policymakers and government managers while providing people's participation in the functioning of the government. Realizing the aspirations and expectations of the people, the Act has been effectively implemented as of today despite various constraints. Following the passing of the Right to Information Act, 2005 by the Central Government of India, the state governments have implemented the Act respectively, including the State Government of Mizoram which was implemented in Mizoram on 5th July, 2006 to ensure transparency and good governance. The Right to Information Act has ushered in a new dawn of opportunities for the citizens to participate in the governmental processes, thereby providing transparency and accountability. This legislative device has proved to be a successful model for ensuring equity and fairness in government programmes. This paper studies the issues of the Right to Information Act with the experiences in Mizoram, one of the states of the Indian Union, in the light of citizens' empowerment, transparency and good governance as well as certain solutions for the fulfillment of the Act.