Critically examine the impact of the Right to Information (RTI) on enhancing ethical accountability in public administration. How effective has RTI been in preventing bureaucratic corruption and improving service delivery?

RTI is the hallmark pillar for ending the darkness of opaqueness and establishing the day of transparency. RTI and Ethical Accountability: 1) Adherence to procedural integrity. Example: Very recent RTI for watershed fund management in tribal Rajasthan. 2) Instilling the democratic accountability nearing. Example: Paari foundation's RTI for watershed fund management in tribal Rajasthan. 3) RTI has made the civil servant communicative with the beneficiaries. RTI and Bureaucratic Corruption: 1) Reduced discretion of civil servants in allocation of funds. 2) Strengthened answerability by providing legal basis. Example: RTI has served nearly 17 ed UDP by preventing corruption. RTI and Service Delivery: 1) Expansion in coverage of scheme beneficiaries. 2) Improved the quality of public service delivery. Example: RTI on mid-day meal irregularity in Tamil Nadu. Limitations of RTI: 1) Exemptions ⇒ political parties, judiciary etc. 2) Coercion & undue influence ⇒ death of 88 RTI activists. 3) Over centralisation of RTI under executive ⇒ Wider in appointment.

Nonetheless, as Justice said 'sunlight is best disinfectant', and RTI does help in that.