The introduction of Right To Information (RTI) Act, 2005, was one of the greatest achievements of our country in the recent past as it aims to make our government departments transparent and accountable.

The Act says all public and private authorities are bound to disclose the information about their work, if they received at least 10 percent of aid from the government. It makes the organization accountable and transparent to the public.

As Religious we should not see the Act as a weapon against us. It is rather a vessel that brings to us efficiency, transparency and accountability by helping us to be proactive, open and sincere.

If we understand the Act properly, we would appreciate it as the Magic Lamp of the famed Arabian fable, which provides all that we seek. It can make pending files move and complete your ceaselessly withheld work in a matter of days. All you need to do is to put up an application under S.6 clause of this Act, seeking information on your pending work. Many have achieved success and I’m one of them.

An example

Let us take the example of a government-aided school waiting for education directorate’s approval of a teaching post. Many may say nothing would move until under the table payments are made. Even Religious sometimes pay bribes, and thus encourage corruption.

Here is where RTI comes to our aid. All that we need to do is to write to the Public Information Officer (PIO) of the concerned department, asking information on your pending application. You can raise as many questions as you like such as: Before whom is it pending? How long will it take to complete work? Why is the delay? Who should be blamed for the delay?… Of course you need to pay 10 rupees for each application. Payment method may differ in every state, so check the department’s website for details or contact the PIO’s office.

An applicant need not give reasons for seeking information. The PIO is not supposed to ask your purpose of seeking information. If the officer asks for reasons, ignore it or reply that it is not necessary to furnish reasons as per the Act. The PIO has to reply with all information within 30 days of application. If he fails or if the reply does not satisfies, you may appeal to the PIO of Secretariat or a Superior Officer. You can also approach the State Information Commissioner/ Central Information Commissioner, whose addresses are available in websites.

If your RTI application is about the life and liberty of person, known or unknown to you, the PIO of Home Secretary or police officials are to reply within 48 hours.

Usually, seeking information itself would do the magic—your work will be done before you get the reply from the PIO. Stop running from pillar to post to get your work done and just give it a try.

Public can seek information from you

If someone approaches you seeking information about your government-aided institution or your registered organization, you should not be annoyed. Receive the person politely and assure that the information will be given. Forward the application to your provincial or PIO of your congregation. Make sure nothing you provide by way of information can be used as evidence against you in a court of law.

Information includes any material in any form, including records, documents, memos, e-mails, opinions, advices, press release, circulars, orders, logbooks, contracts, reports, papers, samples, models, data material held in any electronic form and information relating to any private body that can be accessed by a public authority under any other law for the time being in force.

A group of us are using this tool to get all sorts of information on how Orissa government functioned during the 2008 anti-Christian riots that went on for seven long weeks. The information we seek includes orders given to police.

The Act helps us to be more transparent and accountable in our mission and ministry. So let us seek and provide information for the better. Let us join hands with public-spirited souls and transform our system by taking giant steps to eradicate corruption.

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2. A Corruption Free India is possible – Lok Pal
3. Corruption Free Society and Church
4. Delhi Religious resolve to fight corruption
5. India Against Corruption campaign