We begin our fifth year of publication focusing on issues that go to the core of the raison d’etre of our publication – a serious, though provoking, magazine focusing exclusively on the bureaucracy and the paramountcy of not just “good” but better and better governance that is the very bedrock of democracy and republican life. So our spotlight, once again, in this landmark issue of gfiles (which you will notice has also increased its pages and changed its style to go with its birthday) is an issue that seems to be paralysing the administration, Parliament, the judiciary and even the media – rampant, unbridled, shameless corruption that will ultimately hit the nation’s rate of growth.
Our maiden issue carried on its cover an interview with the Chief Information Commissioner, the erudite Wajahat Habibullah. This time our cover story – an interview with the intrepid new Chief Information Commissioner, Satyananda Mishra – actually deals with the single farsighted government initiative that could prove to be the most potent weapon in the hands of the ordinary Indian in his fight against graft and bureaucratic venality – the Right to Information Act. This pro-people measure, the outcome of an alliance between some NGOs and hundreds of farsighted and progressive bureaucrats, arms the hitherto defenceless consumer with David’s sling. He can now, if he knows the ropes, hurl missiles at recalcitrant bureaucrats in order to discover why programmes are not being delivered and his rights are being trampled underfoot. And babus who refuse to answer or reveal their files are liable for punishment.
But is this well-calibrated anti-corruption measure working? Well, hardly, admits Mishra. He does not say so directly but, reading between the lines, you can make out that there is resistance not only from bureaucrats but also from politicians who do not want their misdeeds exposed. Lack of accountability and the monopoly over information are what constitute real power. And surrendering these two weapons means sharing power with the public – something the powers-that-be are reluctant to do.
Or why would the budget for such an important best-government-practices initiative be barely one crore rupees? In order to empower consumers, mass awareness campaigns are of the essence. People have to be informed that their right to know is a matter of law. As Mishra ruefully admits: “My feeling is that knowledge about this Act is extremely limited. Just like knowledge about many of our laws is very limited. Raising any kind of awareness through established channels like the print and electronic media have their limitations. This is assuming that we have enough funds and the motivation to really use both these channels to spread awareness.”
The bitter truth is that we do not. Grassroots campaigns such as spreading awareness about RTI as a powerful tool against corruption are never going to be undertaken by any government or politician. Because, in a sense, this will mean they are campaigning against their own vested interests! The answer is steady, unrelenting grassroots pressure from media and social activists along with our loyal readers who have demonstrated their fidelity to the editorial principles we espouse by providing us the steady base of readership on which we have survived. And backed to the hilt – of course! – by upright officers like Mishra.
Inderjit Badhwar
Inderjit Badhwaris a veteran journalist, novelist and the former editor of India Today. He has written for various Indian and American newspapers and magazines, including The New York Times and Outlook. Now based in New Delhi, Badhwar heads gfiles, India's first magazine on the Civil Services of India.
