RTI and democracy

CIC on how RTI has redefined democracy for the average Indian

GN Bureau | February 17, 2010



Wajahat Habibullah is the Chief Information Commissioner at the Central Information Commission (CIC).

He has held various positions in the Indian government. He has served as the Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir (1990 to 1993), Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Consumer Affairs (January 15, 2003-Sept 24, 2003) and Secretary, Ministry of Textiles (August 1-December 9, 2004). Before joining the CIC in October 2005, he was the Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj.

In this session of GN talk, Habibullah talks about “Right to Information (RTI) Act and democracy”. He says that just the right to exercise franchise does not make a democracy and the RTI Act has given the Indian democracy a new meaning. It is after the RTI Act that people can ask questions and make suggestions to the government.

 


 

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