Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya on Tuesday described the Right to Information (RTI) Act as a transformative tool that has strengthened the foundations of Indian democracy by building a bridge between the government and the people. He said the Act has helped usher in a culture of transparency and accountability in governance and remains one of the most powerful legislative instruments in empowering citizens. The Governor was speaking at the inauguration of the 32nd Board of Governors and the 14th Annual General Body Meeting of the National Federation of Information Commissions in India (NFICI), held at an official event in Guwahati. The high-level gathering brought together key information commissioners and officials from across the country to reflect on the RTI Act’s journey and future. In his keynote address, Governor Acharya said the event was not just an administrative function, but a celebration of democratic values. “The RTI Act represents a turning point in our democratic system. It narrows the distance between the ordinary citizen and the government, allowing people to participate more directly in governance,” he said.
“The true strength of democracy lies in the ability of its citizens to ask questions. The RTI Act empowers every individual to seek answers, reinforcing the idea that the people are the real masters in a democratic setup,” the Governor added. Governor Acharya praised the RTI Act, enacted in 2005, for its significant role in fighting corruption, improving delivery of public services, and ensuring greater administrative accountability. He noted that the Act has particularly benefited rural and marginalised communities by giving them a stronger voice in public affairs. Highlighting the need for the RTI Act to evolve with the times, Acharya said the digital revolution presents an opportunity to make the Act more user-friendly and accessible. “We must move beyond treating RTI as a paperwork process. It should become a part of everyday public behaviour. Making RTI digitally accessible will help ensure faster and more transparent information delivery,” he remarked.
He also pointed to the growing importance of technology, suggesting that innovations such as artificial intelligence and data analytics can help in analysing trends in information requests and improving government responsiveness. The Governor urged all stakeholders to promote RTI awareness at the grassroots level. “Workshops, training programmes, and community outreach efforts should be intensified, especially in rural areas, to ensure that citizens are well-informed about their rights under the Act,” he said.The meeting was also attended by Chief Information Commissioner and NFICI President Heeralal Samariya, along with delegates and information commissioners from various states.
