Transparency During a Crisis

Context: Proper implementation of the Right to Information Act is more crucial now than ever before

Challenges to Right to Information:

• PMCARES Fund: RTI applications have been stonewalled

• No information exists on the o?cial website regarding the donors and details of beneficiaries.
• No public scrutiny available for the PM headed trust.

• Democracy Undermined: 

• Development of corrosive narrative: that public scrutiny is undesirable in times of crisis undermines the basic tenet of democracy i.e. citizens’ participation.

• Absence of information: It is impossible for intended beneficiaries to get their due food grains and other government services because of lack of information
• Indifference of the watchdogs: 21 out of 29 commissions in the country did not hold a single hearing during the ?rst three stages of lockdown.

Way Forward:

• Ensure access to information: 

• Relevant information provides hope to the vulnerable sections of during healthcare emergencies; also maintains trust in public institutions.
• Information (about stocks and prices) helps in the effective delivery of goods and services (like food grains).

• Greater openness: will prevent controversies related to faulty testing kits and fake ventilators.

• Indian Council of Medical Research halted Chinese imported testing kits’ based on the complaints from various States.
• Shunting of the patients from one hospital to another can be prevented if the information of real-time availability of beds is publicly open.
• Relevant information must be made available in local languages. (statutory obligation: Section 4 of the RTI)

• Use of technology: to hear urgent matters and dispose of cases by audio and video conferencing as done by the Central Information Commission and some State Information Commissions.

Conclusion: At a time when incentives for secrecy are great, and the scope for discretionary actions wide, it is critical to creating a culture of openness to empower people to participate meaningfully in the decisions that have profound e?ects on their lives and livelihoods.