Answer:

Introduction:

The Right to Information Act (RTI), passed by the Indian Parliament in 2005, is a landmark legislation that provides citizens with the right to access information held by public authorities. The act has been hailed as a major step towards transparency and accountability in Indian democracy.

Body:

How the Right to Information Act (RTI) redefines the concept of accountability?

1. Transparency and Accountability:
   • The RTI Act promotes transparency by providing citizens with the right to access information held by public authorities.
   • Public authorities are required to proactively disclose information that is in the public interest, such as information related to their functioning, policies, and decision-making processes.
   • The act redefines the concept of accountability by placing the onus on public authorities to justify their actions and decisions to the public.
2. Participatory Democracy:
   • The RTI Act promotes participatory democracy by empowering citizens to participate in the decision-making process.
   • Citizens can access information on public policies and decisions, and provide feedback to public authorities, thereby contributing to the decision-making process.
   • The act redefines the concept of accountability by making public authorities accountable to the public they serve, rather than to a small group of individuals or interests.
3. Prevention of Corruption:
   • The RTI Act helps prevent corruption by promoting transparency and accountability in public institutions.
   • Citizens can access information related to government contracts, tenders, and expenditures, and hold public officials accountable for any irregularities or corruption.
   • The act redefines the concept of accountability by requiring public authorities to be transparent and accountable in their financial and administrative affairs.
4. Empowering Citizens:
   • The RTI Act empowers citizens by providing them with the right to access information that is essential for their daily lives, such as information related to health, education, and social welfare.
   • Citizens can use the information obtained through the act to hold public authorities accountable for their actions and decisions.
   • The act redefines the concept of accountability by empowering citizens to play an active role in monitoring the actions and decisions of public authorities.

Examples of how the RTI Act redefines the concept of accountability in India include:

• The exposure of corruption in the allocation of telecom licenses in 2008, following an RTI application by an activist.
• The disclosure of information related to the quality of mid-day meals provided to school children, following an RTI application by a group of parents.
• The disclosure of information related to the utilization of funds allocated for the development of a village, following an RTI application by a resident of the village.

Conclusion:

The act has been instrumental in exposing corruption, ensuring good governance, and promoting public participation in decision-making processes. The RTI Act has become an essential tool for citizens to hold public authorities accountable and to demand transparency and accountability in public affairs.

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