Since Independence in 1947, numerous programmes and schemes have been launched and massive amounts spent for the development of rural areas of India to uplift rural masses. However, the overall socio-economic conditions of rural people continue to be unsatisfactory. Rural India is still marked by many vulnerabilities like high incidence of poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, malnutrition and related diseases, poor infrastructure among others. The failure is attributable chiefly to the faulty implementation of development and welfare programmes which remain shrouded in mystery and bureaucratic delays.
The enactment of the Right To Information (RTI) Act 2005 was a landmark in the history of administration in India. The new legislation has brought sensitivity, responsibility and accountability to the development process in the rural areas. RTI Act is path-breaking in controlling corruption and delays in the implementation of government sponsored programmes and in the functioning of public authorities.
The present book contains 18 research papers contributed by researchers, social thinkers and academicians. They have studied the scope, different provisions, strengths and shortfalls of the RTI Act and made valuable suggestions to make the common man partner in the development efforts for rural India. |
