As the RTI starts its second decade, it is argued that India’s government should ensure that information provision has a more impersonal face and this requires the government to invest in a data infrastructure that will allow it to go from passive to active transparency. What do you understand by active transparency? Why automation is needed in RTI? Discuss. (200 Words)

PASSIVE VS ACTIVE TRANSPARENCY
Passive transparency means sharing the minimum amount of information possible, and requires communities to seek that information out.
Active transparency on the other hand is proactive, it involves making information widely available by government to public.

Benefits of Active Transparency vis a vis passive transparency :
1) Citizens can directly access data without filing requests = direct empowerment of civil society in a democracy.
2) Researchers can use this data for a range of purposes + policy evaluation.
3) Unlike passive transparency, it is impersonal in nature.

Automation is primarily needed in RTI to promote operational efficiency and active transparency. It can be done by means of technical inputs, smart policy design based on collaboration, and use of agile methodology to keep projects from going astray.

It’d keep all stakeholders informed + involved in a timely manner for all the initiatives of government. Moreover it’s also important for Sustainable Development Goal of revitalising the global partnership for development-which initiates availability of high-quality, timely and reliable data. Therefore by attaining automation in RTI, we’ll promote active transparency which in turn will ensure operational efficiency of all other initiatives. In this light, e-governance, citizen charters and digitalisation are positive steps by Indian government.