Empowering the poor with right to information and library services

Information is playing a vital role in modern socio‐economic developments. The poor homeless citizens of special needs are also empowered with the Right to Information Act 2005 in India. People can ask to the government policies for eradication of poverty. Information literacy regarding various rights may change the scenario of society. In India, government started various ICT‐based policies for eradication of poverty with public private partnership. Some important projects are: Akshaya, Anand, Bhoomi, E‐chaupal, E‐Seva, Gramdoot, N‐Logue, India Agriland, Janmitra, etc. but actually real needy people are not aware about these policies, so they are not able to get the benefit of these policies. Thus, right to information and libraries can create an environment of information literacy among poor people, so that they may know their rights and improve their living standard. They may also know the details of government initiatives for the welfare of the society. After taking the benefits of policies they will be a well‐informed citizen. Indian Government initiatives like right to food scheme or midday meal scheme for schoolchildren, right to education, right to information and role of libraries are discussed in detail.

This paper is a case study of Indian Government policies and role of non‐governmental organizations for eradication of poverty through information and communication technology applications.

Internet, libraries and other social media are empowering the users with information. International and national organisations are taking care of basic human rights. It is the real democracy, if we implement right to information effectively. Only free flow of information can reduce the digital divide/information divide among the citizens. Now there are a number of national and international laws related to right to information, so there is a need to apply them effectively for the benefit of the poor human beings and make them well‐informed, self‐dependent, respectable citizens.

This paper is based on a review of literature and evaluation of policies in India.

There is a need to develop the public library system with extension service to poor and homeless people.

There is a need for emphasis on an information literacy programme for the poor.

It is the authors' opinion with original thoughts.