The London School of Economics and Political Science The Right to Information Act in India: The Turbid World of Transparency Reforms Prashant Sharma A thesis submitted to the Department of International Development of the London School of Economics and Political Science for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. London, October 2012 1 Declaration I certify that the thesis I have presented for examination for the MPhil/PhD degree of the London School of Economics and Political Science is solely my own work other than where I have clearly indicated that it is the work of others (in which case the extent of any work carried out jointly by me and any other person is clearly identified in it). The copyright of this thesis rests with the author. Quotation from it is permitted, provided that full acknowledgement is made. This thesis may not be reproduced without my prior written consent. I warrant that this authorisation does not, to the best of my belief, infringe the rights of any third party. I declare that my thesis consists of 107,259 words. Prashant Sharma London, 29 October 2012 Contact:
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[email protected] This thesis was submitted for examination to the Research Degrees Unit of the London School of Economics and Political Science on 29 October 2012. The viva examination (oral) was carried out on 12 February 2013 in London. The examination committee passed the thesis without any revisions. 2 For Ma and Pa 3 Contents Abstract ................................................................................... 5 Acknowledgements .................................................................................... 6 List of Tables .................................................................................... 8 List of Figures .................................................................................... 9 List of Acronyms ...................................................................................