Increasing the Suo Moto Section 4 can bring about greater transparency

The Right to Information Act has the primary objective of bringing about transparency in the functioning of the Government. The citizen has a right to know every act done by the Government on his behalf, so that he can monitor his Government and participate in its governance in a meaningful way. Most citizens are aware of RTI as a device by which they can demand information from public authorities for a fee of 10 rupees. But since the citizen owns the Government should there not be a simpler way for him to access the information which is relevant to him? This need has been captured in Section 4 of the RTI Act. Section 4 (1) (b) actually lists 17 such categories of information which have to declare Suo Moto by the public authorities. It can bring about the discipline of delivering a governance of quality, since it prescribes, 'Say what you do'. Once the Government states this, citizens can spot any deviations. This would also make it difficult for Government officers to act arbitrarily.



However, the progress on this has been very tardy so far, since nobody has taken ownership of getting this implemented. I believe this responsibility must be taken up by the Information Commissions. The last category of information in the 17 categories can be prescribed by the Information Commission. After meeting my first target of ensuring disposals of cases within 60 days, I have started focussing on getting better Section 4 compliance from various authorities. I use every opportunity to order the public authorities to make a complete disclosure apart from issuing specific directions for matters which are of great interest to citizens.

Amongst some orders, I have asked the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to give details of building plans being submitted for approval, widows' pensions and details of the corporators' and legislators' funds being spent on each project. The Registrar of Coop. Societies has been directed to issue the details of Societies, which have submitted their audited balance sheets, and those who have not. IIT Delhi has been asked to provide a list of all the files with categories. The Directorate of Schools has been directed to provide the details of entitlements in Government schools, which should be given to the students. I also order the information to be provided on the websites and in some as hard copies in the offices. For the entitlements it would be appropriate only if the poor parents and students could access the information, so it was ordered to be put up on boards in all the schools. Increasing the Suo Moto declaration under Section 4 can have a great impact on bringing transparency and reducing corruption.

Shailesh Gandhi is Central Information Commissioner