Correct the false statement:
a) Welfare functions of the government need to be monitored.
b) People need to allow the elected representatives alone to monitor the implementation of programmes.
c) Information officers can withhold the information for indefinite period.
d) By looking at various documents one can identify if the programmes are implemented without malpractices.
Statement C is false.
Explanation:
As per the Right to Information Act, 2005, the Government offices have an Information officer who is bound to provide the information asked for. He is in turn, supervised by another officer. It has been clearly stated in the Act about the time that should be taken to provide the information. Hence, the information officers cannot withhold the information for indefinite period.
Statement A is correct because the measures taken by the government for the welfare of the public should be monitored to ensure its proper implementation.
Statement B is also correct because the representatives at all levels are elected by the people to put forth their problems. Hence it is enough if the elected representatives honestly monitor the implementation of the programmes run by the government.
Statement D is also correct because each and every programme has its own agenda and provisions of implementation. So, if one can get the relevant documents, he or she can have an idea if the programmes are properly implemented without any malpractices.
Read the paragraph under the heading ‘Need for Information to Fight Corruption’ and answer the following:
Observe any of the government programme and make a report of its implementation in your area.
The Government has passed many Acts and has introduced many welfare programmes for the benefit of the poor and needy.
One such Government programme that has been implemented is Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA).
This programme enables all the children even with special needs to have access to basic education. This programme has been implemented ensuring that the officials of the education department do not involve themselves in any form of corruption especially the differently abled children. All the school in the area strictly adhere to the rules specified in the law.
Campaigns are held in many areas and people who live Below Poverty Line are informed about the need to educate their children and also about the programme.
The children with special needs are also granted admission to normal stream schools and treated in par with other children. These kids get education without shedding any extra money from their pocket.
Thus, this programme enables children from all categories to get admission in schools without any need to bribe any officials, thus avoiding corruption.
Collect a few success stories with regarding to Right to Information Act (RTI) from newspapers and tell them in your class.
RTI refers to the Right to Information Act. According to the provisions of this Act, it is mandatory for every Government office to keep the public informed about certain information, even if people did not ask for it.
This Act was passed in the year 2005.
The offices have an officer who is called Information officer and there is one more officer who supervises his work. The time frame for providing information has also been specified in the Act.
The following is one of the success stories relating to the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
Public Distribution Scam in Assam:
In 2007, members of an anti-corruption non-governmental organisation in Assam, the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti, filed an RTI request which revealed irregularities in the distribution of food for people below the poverty line. Many government officials were arrested.
RTE is a boon to the children. Explain.
RTE refers to Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education. This Act was passed in the year 2009. The implementation of this right has enabled children of the economically weaker classes to have access to basic education. RTE is definitely a boon to children.
1. Every child gets right to quality education.
2. Until a child completed his/her primary education, the Government takes care of the education at free of cost which includes books, uniform etc.,
3. According to the Act, 25 percent of the seat is reserved in private or public unaided school for the under privileged children.
4. All schools should comply with certain infrastructure and teaching norms.
Almost all the children who belong to the economically backward sections of the society gets basic education these days.
Do you need any more rights? Why?
Rights have been specified in the constitution. But the implementation of the rights plays a crucial role in achieving proper Human Rights. Satisfied with the rights already given, finding a way for the successful implementation still remains a challenge in democracy.
For example, Right to Liberty and Freedom and Right to Dignified Life are the important rights that has been provided for the people from the prospective of Human Rights.
Right to Dignified Life provides all the people to live their life without compromising their dignity.
Right to Liberty and Freedom allows every citizen to believe, speak and do what they want without any fear and without affecting the freedom of other individuals.
However, in reality all classes of people are not treated equally and especially people who live in poverty do not have the right to lead proper life and is being under the exploitation of their employers. They cannot express their mind and have to obey their bosses always. It is felt that these two are the breach of human rights.