UP Culture Dept Ignores RTI Pleas, Transparency Concerns Grow

Activists say the UP Culture Department is not answering RTI requests about spending on cultural events. This is part of a larger trend where government departments are making it harder to get information.
By Newsroom | Government, Uttar Pradesh |

The Uttar Pradesh culture department is facing sharp criticism for its persistent silence in response to repeated requests for information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. An activist, Desh Deepak Dubey, has voiced his concerns, stating that his attempts to access data regarding the department's expenditure on cultural events and its financial dealings with various organizations have been met with a deafening lack of response. The Hindu reported on May 17, 2026, that attempts to reach the department for comment on these allegations were unsuccessful. Dubey’s stated aim in filing RTI requests is to unearth corruption and nepotism, bringing crucial public information into the public domain and promoting transparency.

Congress, activist questions U.P. Culture department’s ‘silence’ over repeated RTI requests on public money - 1

Broader Concerns of RTI Weakening Emerge

This incident in Uttar Pradesh is not an isolated case, as similar patterns of opacity and alleged weakening of the RTI Act have been observed elsewhere. Transparency campaigners, including Venkatesh Nayak from the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), have accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of providing vague and evasive replies to RTI queries concerning electoral roll revisions and engagements with political parties. Nayak pointed to the ECI's purported inability to provide details on actions taken against officials for including ineligible voters, raising questions about potential cover-ups.

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Congress, activist questions U.P. Culture department’s ‘silence’ over repeated RTI requests on public money - 2

Furthermore, concerns have been raised regarding the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023. Activists, such as Anjali Bhardwaj, and political figures, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, have argued that amendments related to this act could significantly dilute the RTI Act’s effectiveness. Specifically, the removal of language that compelled disclosure of personal information in the public interest is seen as a move that could hinder accountability and obstruct social audits. The Union government is still in the process of considering public inputs for the draft DPDP Rules, 2025, which, upon notification, would trigger these changes.

Pattern of Bureaucratic Evasion

The silence from the Uttar Pradesh culture department echoes a situation at the Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC). Here, a senior officer is under scrutiny for alleged rule violations, and a lack of response from key institutions, including the Vigilance Department and the Chief Minister’s Office, has fueled public concern over accountability. In Mirzapur, a case involving Naresh Kumar Jaiswal highlights systemic delays and failures in responding to RTI requests, suggesting broader challenges in upholding the transparency principles of the act within Uttar Pradesh.

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The RTI Act, introduced two decades ago, has been a cornerstone for citizens seeking information about governmental functioning. However, these recent developments indicate a growing trend of bureaucratic evasion and potential legislative shifts that may undermine its purpose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is the Uttar Pradesh culture department facing criticism?
The department is criticized for not responding to requests for information made under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. An activist, Desh Deepak Dubey, has not received details about the department's spending on cultural events.
Q: What information did the activist want from the UP culture department?
Desh Deepak Dubey filed RTI requests to get information about how the department spent money on cultural events and its financial dealings with different groups. He wants to find corruption and nepotism.
Q: Are other government bodies also having issues with RTI requests?
Yes, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has also been accused of giving unclear answers to RTI queries. Transparency campaigners worry that the RTI Act's power is being reduced.
Q: How could the Digital Personal Data Protection Act affect the RTI Act?
Activists believe changes related to the Digital Personal Data Protection Act could weaken the RTI Act. Removing rules that allow sharing personal information in the public interest might make accountability harder.
Q: What does this mean for citizens' ability to get government information?
These issues suggest a growing problem where government departments are avoiding giving information. This trend could make it harder for citizens to understand how the government is working, which is what the RTI Act was designed to prevent.