Proactive transparency in governance: A comparative study of digitalisation of the Right to Information Act in central and state governments in India

Abstract

In the age of information, communication and technology, the digitalisation of governance is quintessential for implementing a culture of transparency and accountability in administration. India is a quasi-federal state and administration happens at the centre and state levels. In this context, this article makes a comparative study of the digitalisation of the Right to Information (RTI) Act in India at the centre and state levels of administration and governance. The article looks at the legislation on the right to information, the factors that motivated the digitalisation of the RTI Act, the importance of the RTI Act under Sustainable Development Goals and the political reasons behind the inadequate operationalisation of the RTI Act. The article concludes with a summary of the arguments and key policy recommendations.