The Genesis and Evolution of the Right to Information Act in Jammu and Kashmir

The Right to Information Act is a revolutionary step because it has made the administrative system accountable, transparent and almost corruption free. RTI Act needs to be implemented in true letter and spirit. It is the duty of every citizen to make the right to seek information simplistic, effective, purposeful, progressive and people-friendly. The Central and State information commissions are playing a key role in making RTI Act successful and fruitful. We know that, in a democracy as in India, all powers flows from the sovereign authority of the citizens. They constitute the supreme power by electing their representatives to run the administrative system and hence making the administration accountable to the political executive and to the general public. The civil society and other agencies are using RTI Act as a potent weapon to ensure accountability and transparency which are not only the element of good governance but a prime requirement for informed citizenship. The Jammu and Kashmir Right to Information Act was hailed as a major step towards democratization of the state as informed citizenry and transparency of information are vital to the functioning of a democratic government and also to contain corruption.

Keywords:
Good Governance, Transparency, Accountability, Chief Information Commissioner,