Dhirendra Krishna |
| Blog | Posted By: hindtodaynews on:3/10/2008 8:54:49 AM |
Friends,
My open letter to Smt Sonia Gandhi (repeated below) was posted
in 19 internet groups and must have reached over 1,80,000 members of these
groups. I have received several emails with very interesting reactions.
Generally, the credibility of politicians seems to be very low; transparency
imposed by RTI Act may help in restoring faith in democratic governance and
the political leaders.
Next general election presents an unprecedented
opportunity for the political parties to use RTI in their election campaigns.
Parties in power may use section 4(2) to disseminate information about
their achievements through the official machinery. Opposition parties
can
use RTI to expose inefficiency, corruption and waste of public money,
as they can gain access to public records.
Section 26 requires the
Government to initiate educational programs on RTI at a large scale and
therefore provides an opportunity for reaching out to the masses; parties in
power can use this as a part of their election strategy. On the other hand,
opposition parties can emphasise upon the failures of Government in
implementing RTI Act in letter and spirit.
In my humble opinion,
extensive use of RTI Act by political parties in the next general election
may be a major step towards educating citizens to hold the Central and State
Government accountable. If all political parties use RTI Act in their
election campaign, it would help the voters in making an informed
choice.
This is not merely a matter of short-term political gains:
elections present an opportunity for strengthening democratic institutions
and processes.
Dhirendra
Krishna
Copy of Open letter to Ms. Sonia Gandhi
Dear
Smt. Sonia Gandhi,
1. Sharp criticism of recent budget focuses on the
inadequacy
of delivery system. Cynics doubt whether the benefits of social programs
envisaged in the budget would actually reach the poor. Like the "India
Shining Campaign" of last general elections, there is a danger that economic
sops given in recent budget may also back-fire. Indian voter has become more
discerning and can see the difference between slogans and
performance.
2. Transparency, public accountability and sincerity
in governance should be visible in the campaign for forthcoming elections.
The difference between the haves and have-nots has grown. Glaring contrast
between glittering Malls and abysmal living standards in slums, is giving
rise to social tensions. The unrest is visible in growing naxalite influence.
Pro-poor programs are needed not only as vote-catching gimmicks; these are
essential for good governance.
3. Right To Information Act 2005 sets
out a practical regime for transparency and accountability of all public
authorities. Implementation of this law in letter and spirit is essential
for democratic governance. This provides an effective framework for better
communication between Government and citizens. Section 4(2) of RTI Act
provides for suo-moto disclosure of information required by the citizens, so
they citizen's resort to RTI is minimized.
Section 26 requires Government to
educate the citizens about their rights under the RTI Act. These aspects
relate to good governance and have not received the attention that they
deserve. Effective implementation of RTI Act should be a part of election
strategy by
political parties, for forthcoming elections.
4. Potential
beneficiaries should be made aware of the budget allocations in 2009-09 in
centrally sponsored schemes and the welfare schemes initiated by the State
governments, such as:
* National Rural Employment Guarantee Schemes Rs.
16,000 crores
* Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission: Rs 6,866 crores
*
National Rural Health Mission: Rs 12,050 crores
* Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan:
Rs.13,100 crores
* Mid-day Meal Scheme: Rs. 8,000 crores
* Rajiv Gandhi
Drinking Water Mission: Rs. 7,300 crores
* Integrated Child Development
Services: Rs 6,300 crores.
* Debt Relief Packages: Rs 60,000 crores
5.
RTI Act enables potential beneficiaries to demand public records to ensure
that waste of public money is minimized and the intended benefit of social
welfare schemes actually reaches them. It is in public interest that
administrative hurdles that are thwarting implementation of RTI Act should be
removed.
6. Unless the beneficiaries get advantages from these
massive social welfare schemes, they would continue to be cynical
about governance. If the AAM AADMI does not trust the Government,
anti-incumbency factors may work decide the next elections, as
well.
Total transparency and open governance is essential to counter
the negative perceptions. Election results have always surprised
the political analysts, as the "AAM AADMI" has their own evaluation
of performance of Government-in-power. If negative propaganda by
the
opposition parties confirms their doubts and misgivings, change
of Government becomes the logical outcome.
7. I am sure that these
aspects of forthcoming general elections are engaging the attention of
strategists in Congress Party as well as other political parties. Congress
has the historic
advantage of introducing Right To Information Act 2005,
which provides a quantum jump in public accountability of
Governments. This should be integrated into the election campaign in the
States where Congress party is in power. In other States where Congress
is an opposition party, RTI can be used to expose the deficiencies
in governance.
8. This would be first general election after implementation of RTI Act 2005
and its political impact is yet to be tested. It is my sincere hope that
campaign by political parties would help in
educating the citizens about RTI
Act, ushering in a new era of truly democratic governance. This is an open
letter and is being placed in several internet groups, to generate wider
discussions on the subject.
Dhirendra Krishna IA&AS
(Retired)
Moderator yahoo group rti4ngo