Tag: TRANSPARENCY LEGACY IN ASSAM

Assam is hosting the 32nd Board of Governors and 14th AGM of the National Federation of Information Commissioners of India (April 8). Ancient and Medieval Roots of Transparency in Assam Historical Inscriptions (5th century onwards): Rock and copper inscriptions across Assam demonstrate a tradition of public declarations by rulers. Kumar Bhaskar Barman (7th century CE): Scholarly king of Kamarupa. Issued Nidhanpur inscription, declaring land and grants. Shared information on Pragjyotishpur and his court with Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang. Ahom Dynasty and Buranjis: Continued the tradition of documentation through Buranjis. These were factual public records, not royal propaganda, and were open to public access. Srimanta Sankaradeva’s Reforms: The Pillar of Openness Srimanta Sankaradeva (15th–16th century): Saint-reformer, philosopher, artist, and cultural leader. Emphasised openness, transparency, and accountability in social institutions. Namghar System: Village-level Vaishnavite institution serving religious, social, judicial, and administrative roles. Functioned as an open archive of records, central to Assamese public life. Charit Tola: “writings of contemporary events of the life of a Sattra chief” were written records and not interpretation Colonial Era – Decline of Transparency Treaty of Yandabo (1826): British rule introduced closed governance. Official Secrets Act (1923): Sharing of government information was criminalised. Brought in a culture of opacity and bureaucracy that lasted post-Independence. Post-Liberalisation & Rise of Public Information Culture Post-1991 Liberalisation: Rise in demand for information. Internet revolution transformed data into a tool for economic and social empowerment. Right to Information (RTI) Act – A Democratic Leap RTI Act, 2005: Codified what was already a fundamental right under Article 19(1)(a) (as ruled by SC in 1975). Made government operations transparent and citizen participation more effective. Impacts of RTI Act: Exposed corruption and increased accountability. Boosted professionalism in bureaucracy. Promoted a culture of responsiveness in public service. Strengthened by supportive judicial pronouncements. Challenges: Misuse by fake RTI activists using it for extortion or harassment. Need to guard against abuse while upholding the Act's spirit. Acknowledges Assam’s historic legacy of openness and transparency in governance.

Tag: TRANSPARENCY LEGACY IN ASSAM

TRANSPARENCY LEGACY IN ASSAM

Let's Crack
APSC Together

Quick Links

Newsletter

Subscribe for Updates

Let's Crack APSC Together

Quick Links

Newsletter

Subscribe for Updates

Let's Crack
APSC Together