The Right To Information (RTI) Act empowers every citizen to get justice if it is being denied. The thing is that even if you do not get an answer to the RTI application, the grievance is generally addressed. To me, ti9 illustrates the power of this one Act. Just recently , we were approached by a woman who had retired in May 2006 and had not received her pension. I helped her draft and RTI application and within 10 days she had a response; such is the power that people wield.

While RTI has helped to sort out issues with government offices and departments, there is still a lot that is lacking in the private sector, especially services companies. Most people passively accept sub-standard service, when they are actually paying for far better quality. Although a few court cases on government transparency have gained publicity, they have done little to help people assert themselves and take their rights into their own hands.

Consumer courts are in the news a lot these days. It is good that some people are fighting for their rights. The need is to educate the larger masses; to teach them not to accept whatever they are given, and to bring good governance and accountability into positions of powers.