RTI brings transparency, but fails to reach the poor

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A law empowering Indians to seek information from government to promote accountability and transparency has brought change to urban India, but has largely left out the country's rural poor, social activists say.

The Right to Information (RTI) Act - similar to the Freedom of Information Act in the United States - was enacted almost five years ago and is aimed at providing a practical way for all citizens to access information held by public authorities.

Social activists, who long campaigned for the RTI as a way of limiting corruption and nepotism rife in many government departments, say the act has had a tremendous impact in creating transparency and helping people hold authorities to account, but add that more needs to be done.

India is ranked 84th or near the middle of 180 countries in the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index, based on an integrity rating of 3.2-3.6 (0 being the most corrupt and 10 the least), indicating that experts perceive the country to be highly corrupt.

"Since the RTI came into being, it has really helped in redressing grievances as well as bringing to book those found to be involved in corrupt practices," said the Healthcare Foundation's Ajay Goel, who helps people to file applications for information as part of the civil society group's RTI awareness campaign.

"It has the potential to revolutionise the socio-economic conditions of all Indians, provided that people understand the importance of the act and that the responsible agencies adhere to providing the information requested."