--- In rti4ngo@yahoogroups.com, "Dhirendra Krishna"
<dhirendrakrishna@...> wrote:

Friends,

My open letter to Smt Sonia Gandhi (repeated below) was posted in 19
internet groups and must have reached over 1,80,000 members of
these groups. I have received several emails with very interesting
reactions. Generally, the credibility of politicians seems to be
very low; transparency imposed by RTI Act may help in restoring
faith in democratic governance and the political leaders.

Next general election presents an unprecedented opportunity for the
political parties to use RTI in their election campaigns. Parties in
power may use section 4(2) to disseminate information about their
achievements through the official machinery. Opposition parties can
use RTI to expose inefficiency, corruption and waste of public
money, as they can gain access to public records.

Section 26 requires the Government to initiate educational programs
on RTI at a large scale and therefore provides an opportunity for
reaching out to the masses; parties in power can use this as a part
of their election strategy. On the other hand, opposition parties
can emphasise upon the failures of Government in implementing RTI
Act in letter and spirit.

In my humble opinion, extensive use of RTI Act by political parties
in the next general election may be a major step towards educating
citizens to hold the Central and State Government accountable. If
all political parties use RTI Act in their election campaign, it
would help the voters in making an informed choice.

This is not merely a matter of short-term political gains: elections
present an opportunity for strengthening democratic institutions and
processes.

Dhirendra Krishna

.....................................................................

Dear Smt. Sonia Gandhi,

1. Sharp criticism of recent budget focuses on the inadequacy
of delivery system. Cynics doubt whether the benefits of social
programs envisaged in the budget would actually reach the poor. Like
the "India Shining Campaign" of last general elections, there is a
danger that economic sops given in recent budget may also back-fire.
Indian voter has become more discerning and can see the difference
between slogans and performance.

2. Transparency, public accountability and sincerity in
governance should be visible in the campaign for forthcoming
elections. The difference between the haves and have-nots has grown.
Glaring contrast between glittering Malls and abysmal living
standards in slums, is giving rise to social tensions. The unrest is
visible in growing naxalite influence. Pro-poor programs are needed
not only as vote-catching gimmicks; these are essential for good
governance.

3. Right To Information Act 2005 sets out a practical regime
for transparency and accountability of all public authorities.
Implementation of this law in letter and spirit is essential for
democratic governance. This provides an effective framework for
better communication between Government and citizens. Section 4(2)
of RTI Act provides for suo-moto disclosure of information required
by the citizens, so they citizen's resort to RTI is minimized.
Section 26 requires Government to educate the citizens about their
rights under the RTI Act. These aspects relate to good governance
and have not received the attention that they deserve. Effective
implementation of RTI Act should be a part of election strategy by
political parties, for forthcoming elections.

4. Potential beneficiaries should be made aware of the budget
allocations in 2009-09 in centrally sponsored schemes and the
welfare schemes initiated by the State governments, such as:

• National Rural Employment Guarantee Schemes Rs. 16,000 crores
• Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission: Rs 6,866
crores
• National Rural Health Mission: Rs 12,050 crores
• Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan: Rs.13,100 crores
• Mid-day Meal Scheme: Rs. 8,000 crores
• Rajiv Gandhi Drinking Water Mission: Rs. 7,300 crores
• Integrated Child Development Services: Rs 6,300 crores.
• Debt Relief Packages: Rs 60,000 crores

5. RTI Act enables potential beneficiaries to demand public
records to ensure that waste of public money is minimized and the
intended benefit of social welfare schemes actually reaches them. It
is in public interest that administrative hurdles that are thwarting
implementation of RTI Act should be removed.

6. Unless the beneficiaries get advantages from these massive
social welfare schemes, they would continue to be cynical about
governance. If the AAM AADMI does not trust the Government, anti-
incumbency factors may work decide the next elections, as well.
Total transparency and open governance is essential to counter the
negative perceptions. Election results have always surprised the
political analysts, as the "AAM AADMI" has their own evaluation of
performance of Government-in-power. If negative propaganda by the
opposition parties confirms their doubts and misgivings, change of
Government becomes the logical outcome.

7. I am sure that these aspects of forthcoming general
elections are engaging the attention of strategists in Congress
Party as well as other political parties. Congress has the historic
advantage of introducing Right To Information Act 2005, which
provides a quantum jump in public accountability of Governments.
This should be integrated into the election campaign in the States
where Congress party is in power. In other States where Congress is
an opposition party, RTI can be used to expose the deficiencies in
governance.

8. This would be first general election after implementation of
RTI Act 2005 and its political impact is yet to be tested. It is my
sincere hope that campaign by political parties would help in
educating the citizens about RTI Act, ushering in a new era of truly
democratic governance. This is an open letter and is being placed in
several internet groups, to generate wider discussions on the
subject.

Dhirendra Krishna IA&AS (Retired)
Moderator yahoo group rti4ngo

--- End forwarded message ---