THE RTI ACT IS A BIG STEP TOWARDS MAKING THE CITIZENS INFORMED ABOUT THE ACTIVITIES OF THE GOVERNMENT, SO REQUIRED FOR TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE ADMINISTRATION.

The right to information is implicitly guaranteed by the Constitution, however with a view to set out a practical regime for the citizens to secure information as a matter of right, The Indian parliament enacted the right to information Act 2005 as such the law is very comprehensive and covers almost all matters of the governance. This law has a wide reach, being applicable to Government at all levels, Unions state and local as well as to the recipients of substantial Government funds. The basic concept of the Right to information is to empower the citizens of country to promote transparency and accountability in the working of the Government, to contain corruption, and to enhance the people's participation in democratic process thereby making the democracy and work for the people in the real sense. It goes without saying that an informed citizen is better equipped to keep necessary vigil on the instruments of governance and make the Government more accountable to the governed. As such the Act is a big step towards making the citizens informed about the activities of the Government. The right to information Act 2005 has overriding effect vis-a-vis other laws. It implies that if any of the provisions of the RTI Act are not consistent with any other law for the time being in force including the Official secrets Act, 1923 , the provision of the RTI Act would have effect. The Act doesn't require the public authorities to retain records for the indefinite period. The records need be retained as per the record retention schedule applicable to the concerned public authority, and the common interest of the departments and based on the recommendations of the DOPT.