"The Right to Information Act is meant only for providing information but not grievance redressal." Comment.

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Ghissu Editorial · Accepted Answer

The statement is largely correct in law: the RTI Act is an instrument of disclosure, and Information Commissions can penalise officials for withholding information but cannot redress service grievances. Yet information is often the first step to justice, equipping citizens to seek remedies through courts, ombudsmen and administrative tribunals.

**Introduction**

The Right to Information Act⟦1⟧, 2005, aims to enhance transparency and accountability by granting citizens access to government-held information, but its scope regarding grievance redressal is limited and contested. The Act emerged to combat entrenched secrecy and promote openness in governance, yet its role in addressing citizen complaints remains debated.

**Primary Purpose of the RTI Act**

1. **Transparency and Accountability Mandate**: The RTI Act mandates proactive disclosure by public authorities, covering all constitutional bodies, to ensure government accountability. It establishes Public Information Officers and Information Commissions to facilitate information access and adjudicate disputes related to information requests.

2. **Empowerment through Information Access**: ==Andhra Pradesh⟦2⟧’s CAG audit revealed ₹968 crore excess payments==, findings that citizens can pursue through RTI, demonstrating its role in exposing corruption and empowering citizens. This access enables marginalized groups to participate meaningfully in democracy and demand better governance.

**Grievance Redressal within RTI’s Scope**

3. **RTI as Information Tool, Not Complaint Forum**: The Act provides a legal right to information but does not establish grievance redressal; Information Commissions cannot adjudicate service-related complaints or enforce corrective action.

**Implications of Limiting RTI to Information**

5. **Focus on Transparency Strengthens Democracy**: Limiting RTI to information provision preserves its clarity and legal enforceability, avoiding administrative overload and legal ambiguity, thus maintaining transparency as the cornerstone of citizen empowerment.

6. **Need for Complementary Mechanisms**: Robust grievance redressal systems like ==Andhra Pradesh’s public grievance cell== are necessary to complement RTI’s transparency. Such mechanisms ensure that citizens’ complaints are addressed effectively alongside information access.

**Conclusion**

RTI’s primary purpose is information disclosure, not grievance redressal; effective governance requires both transparency and dedicated grievance mechanisms to empower citizens and improve administrative responsiveness.

"The Right to Information Act is meant only for providing information but not grievance redressal." Comment.

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