Here are answers to the questions you requested:

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**1. Measures by the Government of India to Make RTI Rules, 2012 More Effective**

To strengthen the Right to Information (RTI) Act and improve the RTI Rules, 2012, the Government of
India has taken various measures aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability, and responsiveness
in public administration. Some key measures include:

- **Strengthening the Central Information Commission (CIC) and State Information Commissions
(SICs)**: The government has improved staffing and resources to reduce case backlogs and expedite
information requests. Moreover, regular training is provided to Information Officers to improve their
knowledge and efficiency.

- **Proactive Disclosure**: Under Section 4 of the RTI Act, public authorities are required to proactively
disclose information about their operations. Efforts have been made to update these disclosures,
ensuring that citizens have easy access to current data on government activities.

- **Digitization of RTI Processes**: The government launched the RTI Online portal, enabling citizens to
file RTI applications electronically, which simplifies access and reduces paperwork.

- **Capacity Building and Awareness Programs**: Training sessions and awareness programs have been
conducted for government officials and the public to improve compliance and encourage citizens to
exercise their right to information.

- **Amendments for Transparency**: Efforts to amend the RTI Act have focused on making the process
of information dissemination more transparent, clarifying penalties, and introducing grievance redressal
mechanisms for applicants whose requests are denied unjustifiably.

These measures aim to create a more transparent governance framework that empowers citizens to
hold authorities accountable.

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**2. Powers and Functions of the Central Information Commission (CIC)**

The Central Information Commission (CIC) is an independent statutory authority established under the
RTI Act, 2005, to ensure the enforcement of the right to information. The CIC plays a pivotal role in
promoting transparency and accountability in government. Key powers and functions of the CIC include:

- **Hearing Appeals and Complaints**: The CIC is empowered to receive complaints and appeals when a
citizen’s RTI request is denied or inadequately addressed. It reviews cases of refusal, incomplete
information, or delays, providing a forum for recourse.

- **Imposing Penalties**: If a Public Information Officer (PIO) unjustly refuses information, provides
misleading information, or fails to respond within the stipulated timeframe, the CIC can impose
penalties. This ensures compliance and discourages negligence.

- **Monitoring and Advising Public Authorities**: The CIC monitors public authorities' adherence to RTI
guidelines, especially proactive disclosures. It advises authorities on implementing practices to improve
transparency and compliance with the RTI Act.

- **Ordering Disclosure of Information**: The CIC has the authority to order the release of information
if it finds the denial unjustified. It can also direct public authorities to take measures to prevent future
lapses.

The CIC’s powers ensure that public authorities are accountable and responsive to citizens’ rights,
helping uphold transparency within governance.

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**3. Proactive Disclosure under the RTI Act, 2005**

Proactive disclosure under Section 4 of the RTI Act, 2005, mandates public authorities to publish specific
categories of information without waiting for formal requests. This includes organizational details,
functions, powers, financial data, decision-making processes, and other relevant information. Proactive
disclosure minimizes information requests and promotes transparency by allowing citizens direct access
to commonly sought information.

**Grounds for Refusal of Information**:

The RTI Act lists certain exemptions under which information can be denied, including:

- **National Security**: Information affecting sovereignty, security, or foreign relations.

- **Public Safety**: Disclosure that could endanger life, safety, or personal privacy.
- **Trade Secrets**: Protection of confidential business or commercial information.

- **Legal Privilege**: Exemptions for information bound by confidentiality under law.

These grounds balance transparency with safeguarding national interests and individual privacy.

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**4. Term of Office and Service Conditions of State Information Commission Members**

Under the original RTI Act, the Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners at the
state level were appointed for five years or until reaching 65 years of age. The RTI (Amendment) Act,
2019, altered these terms and service conditions, now allowing the central government to set tenure
and service conditions for both the Central and State Information Commissions.

This amendment grants the central government greater control over the terms of office, retirement
benefits, and other service conditions, a shift from the previous fixed structure, with the aim of ensuring
uniformity across commissions. However, it has sparked concerns regarding potential government
influence over the independence of the Information Commissions.

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**5. Major Challenges Faced by Public Authorities**

Public authorities face multiple challenges in complying with the RTI Act, including:

- **Inadequate Training and Awareness**: Many public officials are unfamiliar with RTI processes, which
hampers effective response to requests.

- **Resource Constraints**: Lack of staff and resources creates delays in responding to RTI applications,
affecting service delivery.

- **Resistance to Transparency**: Cultural reluctance to disclose information impedes proactive

disclosure and effective implementation.
- **High Volume of Requests**: The growing number of RTI applications burdens limited resources,
leading to inefficiencies.

Overcoming these challenges requires a combination of capacity building, resource allocation, and
cultural shifts toward openness and transparency.

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**6. Role of Media in Facilitating Right to Information**

Media plays a critical role in supporting the Right to Information (RTI) by spreading awareness, reporting
on issues related to transparency, and holding public authorities accountable. Through investigative
journalism, media exposes corruption and inefficiencies, encouraging citizens to utilize RTI for
accountability. By covering RTI-related issues, the media raises public awareness, encouraging an
informed and empowered citizenry to engage in governance.

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**7. Transparency and Rule of Law**

Transparency involves openness in governance, where citizens have access to information regarding
government activities. It fosters accountability and reduces corruption. Rule of law ensures that laws are
fairly applied and that every citizen is equal before the law. Together, transparency and rule of law
establish a framework where governance is predictable, just, and accountable, thereby promoting trust
in public institutions.

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**8. Constraints in RTI Implementation at the District Level**

At the district level, RTI implementation faces challenges such as limited resources, understaffing, and
inadequate training of Public Information Officers (PIOs). Rural areas often have lower digital
accessibility, making it harder for citizens to file requests. Additionally, delays due to bureaucratic
inefficiencies and reluctance to share information are common obstacles in ensuring effective
implementation.

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**9. Origin of Right to Information in India**

The origin of the Right to Information in India can be traced to grassroots movements in the 1990s, such
as the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS) in Rajasthan, which demanded transparency in village-
level governance. The demand for RTI eventually led to the enactment of the RTI Act in 2005, which
formalized citizens' right to access government information, marking a major step in promoting
transparency.

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**10. Innovative Practices and Social Audit for RTI Implementation**

Innovative practices for RTI include digitization of records, online portals for filing requests, and
community awareness programs. Social audits, particularly successful in states like Andhra Pradesh,
involve community-led assessments of government projects. Replicating such practices across states and
standardizing procedures can improve transparency and empower citizens, ensuring effective social
audits and better implementation of RTI at all levels.