A PRESENTATION ON THE RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT, 2005 AND HOW

IT HAS HELPED IN ESTABLISHING ETHICS IN BUSINESS ACTIVITIES.

Presentation prepared by Anamitra Roy

What is Ethics?

Ethics is the science of morality. It helps us to determine what is good and what is bad.

IMPORTANCE OF THE STUDY OF ETHICS:

1) It helps us to decide what is good and what is bad.

2) It helps us to choose sides.

3) It reasons behind choosing sides.

BRIEF IDEA ABOUT THE RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT, 2005.

1) This act was passed in the Parliament in the year 2005.

2) The Right to Information Act was passed with the objective of supplying timely information to the citizens of India.

3) The main objective of this act is to establish transparency everywhere.

OBJECTIVES OF THE RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT:

1) Accountability2) Supply of Correct

Information3) Good Governance.

Modes of RTI establishing Ethics in Business Activities:

1) Access to Information 2) Informed Citizenry3) No Hide and Seek4) Accountability5) Transparency6) Lower Rate of Corruption7) The Right to Question8) Good Governance

STATISTICS:

As per the stats of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Company Affairs, the rate of

corruption has come down in business activities from 37% in 2005 to 14% in

2011 (July).

Continuous Acceptance:

The sheer existence of this act for so many years proves that this act has been successful in establishing ethics in government departments and business activities.

The Satyam Case

There were about 6,000 employees in the company. But the books showed that there were 12,000 employees.

The auditors used the RTI Act to dig this story out … a great example of how the RTI Act has helped to establish ethics in business activities.

FOREIGN TRIPS OF THE PRESIDENT:

In 2012, RTI Act was used to dig the fact that the current President of India has used up Rs. 205 crores for foreign trips

… the most by any Indian President till date.

The Case of Hardsoft Information Systems:

This company used the RTI Act to unearth the list of the nodal agents of Bangalore University and the powers given to them. As a result of this they could save themselves from investing

in a wrong avenue.

Similar Acts in Other States:

Similar acts have been passed in other states like1) Sweden (1766) 2) Denmark (1951)3) Finland (1970)4) Norway (1970)5) Pakistan (2002)6) Bangladesh (2008)This proves that such an act has been successful

in establishing ethics in business activities around the globe.

DISADVANTAGES OF RTI ACT, 2005:

The RTI Act is not applicable for Jammu and Kashmir.

This act does not help a citizen to get information on defense matters, government secrets and reports of the Finance Ministry.

This act does not give us information about the personal lives of people.

The process of acquiring information is lengthy and time consuming.

Conclusion:In conclusion, it can surely be said

that the Right to Information Act, 2005 has been successful in establishing ethics in business activities.

The quantum of this influence is difficult to measure and express in terms of numerical.

May be there is a segment undone till now … there is a lot of way to go …

THE END