USE OF RTI IN CONSUMER PROTECTION

The Right to Information Act 2005 [RTI] enables a citizen to access information from government depts, offices and organisations. It also allows access to information of private entity through government authority.

To effectively present his case, the aggrieved consumer needs to have information and documents. For example if there are unauthorised or fraudulent debits to your account with a bank, you first should have details of such debits. If insurance claim is rejected, you must know not only reasons but also the process followed to arrive at decision of rejection. In case if your application to a government dept is not being attended, you should know why it is pending and what action has so far been taken. If a road is repaired by municipal corporation and the same gets washed away in first rains, you should be in a position to find out reasons thereof by getting details of contract and material actually used etc. If you get exorbitant electricity bills, you need to get all the details and causes for such bills from records of service provider. Without having necessary and authentic information and papers with you, it would not be possible to effectively exert your right as a consumer.

RTI lays down a cost effective, time bound and simple procedure for extracting information, papers and samples from government authorities. It has confered a right to this effect in Indian citizen and it flows from fundamental rights guaranteed under article 19 of the Constitution of India.

RTI has been successful in reducing corruption to some extent. Any wrong doing by public servants can be exposed with simple application under RTI. Thus the public and consumers of govt services and goods are benefitted. RTI has also alerted government servants to attend citizens' work in prescribed time limit, lest questions will be asked under RTI. RTI has also made government machinery to efficiently discharge their duties, lest citizens will seek and divulge information pertaining to their dereliction of duties. A sense of accountability has been infused in government working through RTI, which has positive effect on users of government services.

Aggrieved consumers should resort to RTI for redressal of their consumer problems. In fact, RTI should precede action under Consumer Protection.

For information about RTI citizens can access www.rti.gov.in, www.cic.gov.in, www.rtiindia.org, www.prajanet.org or my blog at www.jps50.blogspot.com.