Villagers in Rajasthan Pioneered Right to Information

Why this is here: Villagers in Janawad Panchayat collectively examined their local records, triggering a government inquiry that uncovered misappropriated funds and led to a mandate for annual social audits.

In Devdungri, Rajasthan, activists Aruna Roy, Shankar Singh, and Nikhil Dey began organizing rural workers to demand access to government financial records. Starting in 1987, the trio lived among villagers, recognizing that verifying public spending was key to securing rights. They developed the jan sunwai, public hearings where villagers could cross-check official records and report discrepancies.

These hearings revealed that even semi-literate citizens could effectively scrutinize government accounts. The movement’s slogan, “Hamara Paisa, Hamara Hisaab” – “Our money, our accounts” – captured the demand for transparency as a matter of dignity. This grassroots effort led to the passage of Rajasthan’s state-level RTI law in 2000 and, eventually, the national Right to Information Act in 2005.

While the RTI Act has seen roughly 1.75 million applications filed nationwide, challenges remain in ensuring its consistent and effective implementation. The work begun in Devdungri continues as citizens and organizations strive to strengthen accountability and expand access to information for future generations.