RTI - Role of CSOs For Inclusive and Sustainable Development

Abstract

Access to information Acts as a power to reach and get the services and supports with equality and dignity - This has to be seen as two sides of the same coin having Government on one side and People on the other side, who need to work with better connectivity and coordination. In view of poor access and mismatched service delivery systems, RTI came out as a weapon in the hands of People as well as Government for moving towards the development with better sustainability and quality. A SWOT analysis of RTI reflects that it has got some limitations and mostly confined to asking for information by the people that is time taking, unhealthy and unfriendly. At the same time RTI insists for proactive disclosure of information which is better in all aspects, but not followed by many. Resources like Water, Land, Minerals and others have got better access for investors who do business for business purpose leaving people and environment as the victims. Under these circumstances, the CSOs who work very near to the people have got several opportunities for the effective utilization of provisions of RTI. The initiatives made with selected CSOs have resulted for significant impact and the targeted groups could get the benefit of resources as an empowerment. The initiatives are simple, flexible, replicable, scalable and sustainable matching to the dynamics of the given environment.