Role of Right to Information in Promotion of Good Governance

Good governance is fundamentally a combined concept which includes transparent andaccountable public institutions, strong; decisive and competent Government machinery, and fundamental attitude of Public Servants to do right things and people to claim their legitimate rights. The above things enable a Government to proceed in right path and deliver facilities and services to the common people efficiently who pay taxes for them. Good governance depends upon the mutual interaction between stakeholders in Governance i.e leaders, political parties, bureaucracy, parliament, judiciary, private sector, civil society, media, and common people and their interests. Transparency and accountability of Government machinery coupled with informed citizens not only reduces corruption but also acts as Life Blood of Good Governance. The RTI Act, 2005 is a quantum leap forward for realization of overall good of the common Citizens at larger. Right to Information encompasses within itself the right to access information, right to participate in affairs of the Government and administration, accountability and transparency in formulation and implementation of public policies, predictability in actions of public servants and responsiveness of Government machinery towards common people. Right to Information and Good Governance can be considered as two side of one coin as RTI ensures participation of common people in Governance of State which in long run bring Good Governance by enhancing the quality of Governance. Thus, with this background an attempt will be made in this paper to study the role of RTI Act in promotion of good governance and how far the same has been successful.