“The Right to Information Act is not all about citizens’ empowerment alone, it essentially redefines the concept of accountability.” Discuss.

(1) Empowering citizen ↳ any sort of public information can be accessed in 30 days, complaint mechanism for denial of information

(1.1) leading to RTI activism Eg Anjali Damania in Maharashtra exposed crime syndicate in Beed

(1.2) Jan bhagidari in public works ↳ spirit of Jansab bhagidari in government working

(1.3) Information, became a right, under Right to speech & expression (Article 19(1)(a)) (1.4) pro-active disclosure mandated by act. → more public empowerment

(2) Transforming accountability by RTI (2.1) RTI involves bi-directional accountability of public office. (2.2) Exposure of scams through RTI has led to increased horizontal accountability. (2.3) Beyond informational accountability, decision making and policy also under ambit, thus expanding the scope.