How are contracts awarded for this road repair, or that flyover? How have admissions to a medical or engineering college been decided? These are a few of countless questions that need answers - to all of which you have a right.

A fine Maharashtra Act

The right to information is a Fundamental Right in India. It helps to run our democracy. It also helps to run things that affect our daily lives. Thanks to pressure from Anna Hazare and acceptance by the State's Chief Minister, the Maharashtra Right to Information Act 2003 is a fine instrument. It can be used by citizens to make government work more accountably and transparently and thus less liable to corruption and inefficiency.

Every office and administrative unit of government (including public authorities and institutions assisted by government) must appoint a Public Information Officer (PIO) who deals with the public's requests for information. The PIO's name, designation and address must be displayed outside every office. Normally, only information that compromises national security or our relations with other countries fall outside the Act.

How to apply - and appeal

The citizen applies to the PIO for information on a prescribed form to which a court fee stamp of Rs. 10 is fixed. The PIO acknowledges receipt and communicates acceptance or rejection within 15 working days. Additional days may be allowed but only for reasons recorded in writing and communicated to the applicant.

Appeals are possible if the applicant is unhappy with the PIO's order, or no response has been received in the time allowed. An appeal to the Lok Ayukta (a senior law officer appointed to look into complaints against the government) is also provided for. Officers are fined Rs. 250 per day of delay and Rs. 2000 for providing misleading information.

The Maharashtra Act provides for information to be made available by all governament departments and public authorities periodically. This is about how they are organized and run, records available, facilities for citizens, details of PIOs and facts about important decisions and policies.

Examples of its use

The Right to Information Act has been in use elsewhere. Parivartan in East Delhi employed it for checking civic work by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. Jansunwai's (public hearings) have greatly reduced non-existent but paid for work or shoddily done jobs. Authorities have become wary. Political interference and patronage have declined.

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