Economic Survey 2025-26 Recommends Re-examining RTI Act

The Economic Survey for 2025-26 suggests that India should take another look at the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

This law, which is almost 20 years old, helps people get information from the government to ensure transparency.

The Survey says that while the RTI Act is important, some parts might need to be updated to work better with modern governance.

The goal is to keep the original purpose of the law while making sure it fits with today's needs and global standards.

However, the Survey also presents a positive picture of India's economic health despite global uncertainties.

It acknowledges the dependence on capital flows and the need to lower the cost of capital.

The Survey emphasizes the government's role in improving macroeconomic outcomes and highlights achievements in fiscal consolidation post-Covid.

On the other hand, a critical analysis points out that the Survey's analysis is selective and marked by important gaps.

It criticizes the lack of significant manufacturing exports, the high cost of capital due to deficits, and the stagnation in public investment.

The Survey also ignores poor revenue realizations and the near deflationary situation in sectors like agriculture, mining, and construction.

The critical analysis calls for serious rethinking of policy making and addressing growing inequalities that restrict the domestic market to a narrow segment of the population.