The Right to Information Act was passed by the Indian parliament in 2005. Some revelations here and there to the dismay of the authorities, but overall, things have moved in the government-like manner. Two things happened, governments learned how to legally clip the wings of the supposedly information hungry activists / real information seekers, and within the ambit of RTI rules, the government machinery learned how to best manage the tricky information. Added to that information commissions have worked with a pace and precision that certainly brings them no glory.
Today it seems to be another age and data has become the new oil, not explicitly spoken of regarding government data, but it is the reality. With AI knocking at our doorsteps for a forceful entry, who is interested in filing applications and waiting for days / months to get a reply and it might just turn out to be a useless one, at the end of the day. One principle that has to be agreed with regards to data / information allowed as per Right to Information Act to be made public right away by the government, on its websites etc. If any guardrails are required that can be discussed and be gone through.
It is the fate of the electorate to be permanently on data wild goose chase, to get data flimsy views and never get to know the totality of the issue. One odd piece of data from one data silo can never give any understanding of anything. The data age has brought forth a clearcut watershed in public administration, and that is the Open Data Policy. It is incumbent on the government to come up with the draft policy and put it up for wider public discussion, based on which the final policy can come into existence. If need be there can be an Indian Open Data Act, with penal provisions as well.
Whatever data that is legally mandated to be in the public domain; as per any statute, policy, procurement conditions, legal compliance requirements, public declarations, or has to be provided when requested for, should compulsorily be brought to the public domain, in well known governmental websites created for this purpose. It can be named an Open Data Policy Website. The structure and features and the backend tech inclusive of availability, should be such, that it should have ease of usage and should serve all the needs from a common man to a researcher to a finance or a legal eagle. Should it be so difficult to understand the financial condition of the Delhi government? The tools provided should help us to get any data, any narrative in whichever way we want and for whatever purpose. Open Data Policy with inbuilt AI tools can transform the way public information is consumed and utilised in the interest of the country and its people..
ARE WE AS AN ELECTORATE NOT FIT TO HANDLE AND USE OUR OWN DATA FOR ACTUALLY THE PURPOSES IT IS MEANT FOR?
Sanjay Sahay
Have a nice evening.