The "competent authority" for the purpose of the Right to Information Act, 2005, in the case of the House of the People is __________.

The correct answer is The Speaker.

Key Points

• Under the Right to Information Act, 2005, the term "competent authority" refers to the authority responsible for decision-making in specified organizations.
• In the case of the House of the People (Lok Sabha), the Speaker is designated as the competent authority as per Section 2(e) of the RTI Act, 2005.
• The Speaker has the power to make rules regarding the information disclosure within the framework of the RTI Act.
• Other examples of competent authorities under the RTI Act include the President for matters related to the Union and the Chief Justice for the judiciary.
• The RTI Act ensures transparency and accountability by mandating public authorities to disclose information to citizens.

Additional Information

• Right to Information Act, 2005:
  • The RTI Act was enacted to ensure transparency and accountability in governance.
  • It empowers citizens to request information from public authorities, which are obligated to respond within 30 days.
  • Exemptions under Section 8 of the Act safeguard sensitive information that affects sovereignty, national security, or privacy.
• Competent Authority:
  • The term "competent authority" refers to specific authorities designated to implement RTI rules and regulations within their respective domains.
  • Examples include the Chief Justice for judicial matters and the President for Union-related matters.
• Lok Sabha Speaker:
  • The Speaker is the presiding officer of the Lok Sabha and is elected by its members.
  • The Speaker plays a crucial role in maintaining order and enforcing rules within the Lok Sabha.
• Transparency in Governance:
  • The RTI Act is a key legislation to promote transparency, allowing citizens to access information about government operations.
  • It is instrumental in combating corruption and ensuring accountability in public administration.