For the Indian citizen, it is the process of decision-making that is of crucial importance. The Right To Information Act has been widely welcomed by almost everyone except the hidden beneficiaries of secrecy. It is being used, and has begun to breathe fresh air into our democratic participation. There have already been unique citizens campaigns for implementation. Those who are threatened by this have waged a relentless battle behind the scenes to reverse the flow of power to the ordinary citizen. This is a battle concerning democratic power to the people and ethics in governance.

The amendments will change the Act so that the decision can be revealed, the process of decision-making cannot. From the slum dweller who automatically knows of the decision to demolish his home and livelihood when the bulldozer arrives at his doorstep, to the contractor who will seal his contract and approvals with the payment of his bribe the final decision is only the consequence of the fairness of the decision-making process.

It is not just the records of a ration shop, or the muster rolls on a work site that people across the country are asking for. It is also the policies that lead to foodgrain stocks being made available, or the manner in which tax-payers’ money is being spent that matters. There are decisions being made related to health and medicines, water and power, agricultural policy and genetic engineering and governance itself, that have the potential to impact not just the lives of millions of people but even generations of Indians. We may be on opposite sides of the fence but do we not all have the right to know what the possible consequences of a particular decision could be before being faced with a fait accompli.

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