The Right to Information Act was enacted by the Parliament on 15 June 2015. It was approved by both the houses and was legally implemented in the country with the assent of the President on 13 October 2005. It replaces the Freedom of Citizens Act 2002. The act gives the power to every citizen of the country to request and get information from any public authority. They are bound by the act to reply and furnish the information within 30 days of application request. Political parties and private bodies do not come under the purview of the act.
Under the act, every citizen has the right to:
- Receive information from any department or office of the State Governments and the Central Government.
- View the documents or records and take certified copies of the same.
- Take the sample materials of their workings.
- Get information on computers, CD, floppy and other storage devices.
Examples for the right which is to be informed:
- The consumer has the right to be informed about the particulars of the product that is sold. The seller is bound to explain the particulars of the goods and services if the consumer is not aware of the product.
- This right empowers the consumers to sue the sellers if they violate any rights that are to be given to the consumer. Therefore the consumer can seek for the replacement or compensation for the commodity if it causes any hazard to life.
- The act gives the power to every citizen of the country to request and get information from any public authority. Therefore any person can seek any information from any government offices for gaining information for the consumer.