Despite being the primary stakeholders of the transparency regime established by the Right to Information (RTI) Act, citizens are kept in the dark about crucial details of the hearing process. It remains unknown which cases will be taken up for hearing, on which specific date, and before which information commissioner. This lack of information undermines the very purpose of the transparency law.
The Opaque Scheduling of RTI Hearings
The RTI Act was enacted to promote transparency and accountability in the functioning of public authorities. However, the manner in which appeals and complaints are scheduled for hearing before Information Commissions defeats this objective. Citizens, who are the primary beneficiaries of the Act, are not provided with a clear schedule of hearings. They are left guessing about the status of their cases.
Impact on Citizens and RTI Activists
This opacity has several adverse effects. First, it prevents citizens from planning their participation in hearings. Second, it creates uncertainty and delays in the disposal of cases. Third, it erodes trust in the system. RTI activists have repeatedly pointed out that a transparent hearing schedule is essential for the effective implementation of the Act.
Need for Reform
Information Commissions must publish a weekly or monthly cause list, similar to courts, detailing the cases to be heard, the date, and the bench. This would not only enhance transparency but also enable citizens to track their cases efficiently. Until such reforms are implemented, the transparency regime will remain incomplete, with a critical gap in its operational framework.
As Venkatesh Nayak argues, the primary stakeholders of the transparency regime are kept in the dark about the hearing process. This is a custom error that needs urgent correction to uphold the spirit of the RTI Act.
