The Right to Information Act (RTI) was passed by the Indian government in 2005 to promote transparency and accountability across public institutions. Some of the key features of the RTI Act are:

• RTI allows citizens to access information held by public authorities, including government agencies, departments, and public sector corporations.
• It empowers citizens to seek and receive information in the form of documents, records, emails, reports, and other materials that are relevant to public interest.
• RTI mandates that public authorities respond to an information request within 30 days and imposes penalties for delays or refusals to provide information.
• It provides protection to whistleblowers and allows citizens to file complaints against officers who refuse or delay information.

While the RTI Act has brought about considerable transparency in governance, there are still barriers to its effective implementation. Some of these include:

• Lack of awareness among citizens about how to file information requests and the appeal process.
• Some agencies are reluctant to share information and may resort to delays or evasion. In such cases, the appeal process can be time-consuming and cumbersome.
• There is a shortage of staff and resources to manage the significant increase in information requests from citizens.
• There is a need for greater proactive disclosure of information by public authorities.

Despite these challenges, RTI remains a crucial tool in the fight against corruption, ensuring transparency and accountability in governance, and empowering citizens to hold public authorities accountable.