Public authorities in Maharashtra State unsupportive towards RTI proceedings

As disclosed by the State’s Right to Information Commission, any substantial information about the administration’s work is still not provided on their website

Mumbai – The Union Government passed the Right to Information (RTI) Act to bring transparency to the Government’s work. This Act was implemented in Maharashtra with effect from 12th October 2005. It has been 17 years since the law came into force; however, a few public authorities are still not posting their information on their respective websites as disclosed by the State Information Commission (SIC), which is a serious matter. SIC has appealed to the Government to take disciplinary action against the concerned RTI officers since the authorities were disregarding the instructions given by SIC from time to time.

The above information has been published in the recently tabled annual report of SIC in the State Legislative Assembly. SIC has disclosed the way those authorities have been trying to evade publishing information about their work. SIC has instructed the State Chief Secretary to take a monthly review of the situation.

Public authorities languid about RTI

The disposal of the appeals received by the first appellate officers has not been satisfactory and proper, resulting in the piling up of appeals received by SIC. RTI officers and appellate officers are mostly passing on the cases to the junior staff. The senior officers are shirking their responsibilities. The report expressed regret over the indifference of public authorities towards the appeals received by them. SIC has, therefore, asked the Government to find a solution to this matter as stated in the report.

What is the Act ?

Under Clause 4 of the RTI Act 2005, it is mandatory to disclose information about work on the websites. On implementation of the Act, 120 days are given for complying with the requirement. It is expected that maximum information and records will be made available on the websites. The applications for information and appeals will be less if the authorities make the necessary information available on their websites and there will be transparency in the work, as suggested time and again by SIC to the Government, but no action has been taken so far.

Editorial Perspectives

• Even after 17 years of RTI, if authorities keep crucial information hidden from the public, it is as bad as an act of treason.
• The Government should take action against the officers trying to avoid giving information to people.