ELCITA is public authority liable to disclose info, rules K’taka information commission

The Times of India: Bengaluru: Tuesday, 27 January 2026.
In a significant ruling strengthening transparency in urban governance, the Karnataka State Information Commission (KSIC) held that the Electronics City Industrial Township Authority (ELCITA) is a "public authority" under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, and is therefore bound to disclose information sought under the law.

It directed ELCITA to appoint a public information officer, an assistant public information officer, and a first appellate authority as mandated under the Act.
The commission, while hearing an appeal by Ganesh Kumar M, a resident of Doddathoguru, traced the origin of Electronics City to 1970, when the state govt established it to promote electronic industries. Spread over more than 900 acres now, the area was developed by the Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation (Keonics), which handed over its management to ELCITA in 1997. However, the commission noted that governance of the township rests with ELCITA, a statutory body constituted under the Karnataka Municipalities Act, 1964, through a govt notification issued in March 2013.
The commission observed that ELCITA performs core municipal and governmental functions, including the provision of roads, water supply, sanitation, and the collection of property taxes.
State information commissioner Rudranna Harthikote ruled that ELCITA is a self-governing statutory authority exercising municipal powers, even though it does not have an elected body. Members of the authority are appointed by the govt, and senior officials from various departments serve on its board, indicating substantial govt control. The commission relied on judicial precedents, including Supreme Court rulings and decisions of the Madras high court, which consistently held that bodies performing public functions or receiving significant govt support fall under the RTI Act. It also referred to similar industrial township authorities, such as Noida, being treated as public authorities.
It ordered that the information sought by the appellant on Feb 15, 2025, be furnished within 10 days. Warning of penalties for non-compliance, the commission disposed of the case with a caution that future RTI applications must be answered within the stipulated time frame.

RTI Act now being strengthened: Rules need to be modified to prevent misuse : By Subhash Chandra Agrawal

Daily Pioneer: Article: Tuesday, 27 January 2026.
Ever since the first amendment in RTI Act was done ever since its implementation on October 12, 2005, some NGOs and opposition parties are crying that the RTI Act is diluted! But the amendment made in the year 2019 aimed to change the status and tenure of Information Commissioners, in no way affected users of the RTI Act.

Insertion of section 44(3) in “The Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023”, removing riders to section 8(1)(j) of RTI Act, in fact, is necessary to preserve Parliamentary privilege and remove confusion through the term “public-interest”. It is perhaps for the first time that the Central Information Commission has the full strength of a Chief Information Commissioner and ten Information Commissioners sworn on December 15, 2025.
Otherwise also, the earlier two Commissioners went on disposing of the cases at a fast speed, with Vinod Kumar Tiwari having disposed of 12700 cases with quality judgements elaborately worded in a short span of just 24 months, while this figure does not include matters of Show-Cause notices and Non-Compliance matters. It is significant that he even heard some cases on different dates to ensure enough opportunity to respondent public-authorities to defend their case, like in his verdict dated January 16, 2025, in petition-number CIC/GNCTD/A/2024/108412 in the matter “Sanjeev Kumar versus Directorate of Health Services (GNCTD”. He even imposed a penalty on the PIO and awarded compensation to the petitioner, apart from making recommendations while highlighting malpractices in the working of private hospitals, with DHS being the mute spectator.
Even the Delhi High Court dismissed a writ-petition WPC 596/2026 against this verdict on the first day of hearing, i.e., January 16, 2026. Even the present Chief Information Commissioner Raj Kumar Goyal echoed likewise in his verdict dated January 16, 2026, observing that despite 20 years of implementation of the RTI Act, public information officers and first appellate authorities in DHS (GNCTD) were not alert to their legal responsibilities, terming it to be a serious issue.
At the same time, Vinod Kumar Tiwari praised such officers who respond to matters nicely not only while responding to RTI applications, but also while presenting their case before the Commission. An example is a decision dated November 17, 2025, in file-number CIC/DDATY/A/2024/114518 in the matter “Pawan Jindal versus Delhi Development Authority (DDA)” where he praised Rahul Gupta, PIO-cum-Executive Engineer (DDA) for his nicely presenting the case before the Commission. Such praise in a CIC verdict motivates others to do similar nice work to handle RTI matters. However, RTI rules (and not the RTI Act) need important modifications mainly to prevent misuse of the Act and minimising challenge to CIC verdicts in courts. Notification should be to declare all public-private-partnerships, sports bodies, cooperative societies, and other such bodies, public authorities under the RTI Act.
Land and Building Departments of the central and State Governments should study all cases of allotment of land or Government-accommodations at subsidised rates or lease, and declare all these as public authorities under the RTI Act. For the future, land or Government-accommodations should be provided at subsidised rates on pre-condition of beneficiaries coming under the purview of the RTI Act.
Offices like those of the President, Prime Minister, Governor, Lt Governor and Chief Minister must not act like “Post Offices” by transferring RTI applications under section 6(3) of the RTI Act to the concerned departments. These offices should entertain RTI applications pertaining to their respective offices only, and returning rest others to RTI applicants, advising applicants to file RTI applications directly to the concerned departments.
Considering the vast participation of public money in private sector banks, all private sector banks must be under the purview of the RTI Act. Already, all employees up to the highest post of CMD are public servants according to the Banking Regulation Act. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had to impose restrictions on the withdrawal of money for some time on a prominent private sector bank.
Former CMD of another prominent private sector Bank is under arrest for serious charges of misappropriation of public-money in the Bank. Inspection Reports of private banks, revealed under the RTI Act by the RBI, reveal gross misuse of public money by top management. Another private sector bank is in notoriety for a large number of Non-Performing Assets (NPAs).
Heavy fluctuation in share prices of certain private sector banks tends to doubt regarding the safety of public money in private sector banks. Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (RBIsubsidiary) has to pay a maximum of rupees five lakhs from state-funds to each depositor of the bank, including those in the private sector, which collapses due to massive irregularities, which is public funding to declare private sector banks as “public authorities” under section 2(h) of the RTI Act.
Sections 27 and 28 of the RTI Act give power to Competent Authorities and state-Governments to draft their own rules, which include fixing of RTI fees.
Several Competent Authorities and states misused their power by having RTI fees as high as rupees 500. However, the Supreme Court in its verdict dated March 20, 2018, imposed a capping of rupees fifty to be maximum RTI fees.
RTI-fees should be uniformly rupees 50, inclusive of copying charges for the first twenty copied pages. Making basic RTI-fees at rupees fifty will largely prevent misuse of the RTI Act. There must not be any fees for filing First or Second Appeals.
Handling the cost of a postal-order of value rupees ten costs the postal department about rupees fifty, with the cost of handling of postal-orders by a public-authority and bank-clearing even extra.
The Postal Department should issue special RTI stamps (like earlier stamps for licence fees of radios and TV sets) in denominations of rupees 2, 10 and 50, which will save crores of rupees annually to public-exchequers in using postal orders as a mode of payment of RTI fees.  These RTI stamps should be available at all post offices and counters of public-authorities and other convenient sale points.
Post-free RTI-applications addressed to central public-authorities should be accepted at all about 160000 post offices rather than just about 4500 post offices presently. It is not difficult because every post-office however small it may be, daily sends a post-bag to the Head Post Office with registered post, cash and unsold revenue-articles. This post-bag can carry post-free RTI-applications received at the post office.
Decision dated November  2, 2012 by Punjab & Haryana High Court in the matter “Fruit and Vegetable Union versus Unknown” (CWP 4787 of 2011) requiring ID proof compulsorily with every RTI application, First Appeal and petitions filed with Information Commissions should be compulsorily adopted throughout the country Police-enquiry conducted at behest of some Indian missions abroad established that a petitioner approached Central Information Commission with name and address both of which did not exist.
RTI-responses and orders of First Appellate Authorities should be auto-emailed rather than RTI-applicants required to search portals for viewing of RTI-responses and orders by First Appellate Authorities.
Websites designed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC) for central public authorities should be mandatorily for all states. This has become necessary for state like Odisha, which has made online filing of RTI-applications a mockery when it is compulsory to download an online-filled RTI-application, and then send it by post to the concerned department.
Delhi High Court in its order dated August 8, 2018, in WPC 8278 of 2018 in the matter “Anil Dutt Sharma versus Government of NCT Delhi and others” mentioned This Court is of the prima facie view that the Right-To-Information Act, 2005 would now override the Delhi Right To Information Act, 2001.
The DRTI Act has lost all with the implementation of the RTI Act 2005. Very few applications are filed under the DRTI Act. All such acts legislated by individual states, before the RTI Act 2005 came into existence, must be repealed.
(The writer is an RTI consultant holding the Guinness World record for most letters published in newspapers; views are personal)

RTI के दुरुपयोग पर बड़ा एक्शन, राज्य सूचना आयोग ने 1007 अपीलें एक साथ खारिज कीं : अपूर्वा नायक

Navbharat: Maharashtra: Monday, January 26, 2026.
आरटीआई कानून के दुरुपयोग का बड़ा मामला सामने आया है। राज्य सूचना आयोग की नाशिक खंडपीठ ने एक RTI कार्यकर्ता की 1007 द्वितीय अपीलें खारिज कर दीं और कानूनी कार्रवाई की चेतावनी दी।

सूचना का अधिकार कानून के दुरुपयोग का एक गंभीर मामला सामने आया है। राज्य सूचना आयोग की नाशिक खंडपीठ ने एक आरटीआई कार्यकर्ता की एक साथ 1007 अपीलें खारिज करते हुए इस प्रवृत्ति पर बड़ा प्रहार किया है।
राज्य सूचना आयोग द्वारा एक साथ इतनी द्वितीय अपीलें खारिज करना यह पहला मौका है। आयोग ने अपीलें खारिज करते हुए कानूनी कार्रवाई पर विचार करने की चेतावनी भी दी है। बीड के वकील केशव निंबालकर ने राज्य सूचना आयोग की नाशिक खंडपीठ के समक्ष हजारों की संख्या में द्वितीय अपीले दायर की थीं।
निंबालकर ने तीन वर्षों के कार्यकाल में अहमदनगर, नाशिक, धुले, जलगांव और नंदुरबार जिलों के लगभग सभी तहसीलों से लेकर जिला स्तर के सरकारी कार्यालयों में आरटीआई के तहत आवेदन डालकर विभिन्न प्रकार की सूचनाएं मांगी थीं।
मांगी गई सूचनाएं पुरानी और विस्तृत स्वरूप की थीं। इसके अलावा एक ही सूचना के लिए एक से अधिक बार अलग-अलग आवेदन दायर किए गए। जब जनसूचना अधिकारी से सूचना नहीं मिली, तो निंबालकर ने राज्य सूचना आयोग में द्वितीय अपील दायर कर दी।
एक ही प्रकार की सूचना के लिए सैकड़ों आवेदन:

• राज्य सूचना आयुक्त भूपेंद्र गुरव के समक्ष हाल ही में इन अपीलों की सुनवाई हुई। सुनवाई में पत्ता चला कि एक ही प्रकार की सूचना के लिए सैकड़ों आवेदन किए गए, जिससे कर्मचारियों का काफी समय बर्बाद हुआ।
  
• कुछ सूचनाएं तैयार थी, लेकिन शुल्क भरकर उन्हें लेने के बजाय निंबालकर ने उन्हें नहीं लिया और सीधे आयोग में अपील दायर कर दी। आयोग ने इसे व्यवस्था के दुरुपयोग के रूप में देखते हुए गंभीर संज्ञान लिया। आयोग ने कहा कि भविष्य में ऐसा कोई मामला सामने आने पर गंभीर कार्रवाई की जाएगी।
  
• वरिष्ठ समाजसेवी अन्ना हजारे द्वारा लाए गए इस कानून का दुधारी तलवार की तरह इस्तेमाल हो रहा है, जिससे इसमे सुधार की आवश्यकता महसूस की जा रही है।

RTI Commission upholds MIIF’s decision to defer publication of 2024 Financial Statements

Business & Financial Times: Ghana: Monday, January 26, 2026.
The Right to Information (RTI) Commission has upheld the decision of the Minerals Income Investment Fund (“MIIF” or “the Fund”) to defer the disclosure of its 2024 financial statements, granting the Fund a statutory period of 90 days to complete the process.

It will be recalled that a former Board Member of the Fund, had petitioned MIIF to publish its 2024 financial report. He further escalated the matter to the RTI Commission, seeking to compel the Fund to disclose the information and sharing it on various print and social media platforms.
However, in a letter dated January 12, 2026, MIIF maintained its stance and informed the Commission that some issues had been identified during the initial audit process of the 2024 financial statements.
The Fund insisted that releasing the report at that stage could result in the dissemination of incomplete, inaccurate, or potentially misleading information to the public.
However, in a response letter addressed to the Fund, the commission stated that: “The Commission has considered the matter and concurs with the Minerals Income Investment Fund’s (MIIF) position that disclosure of the requested information at this stage would be premature and may result in the dissemination of incomplete, inaccurate, or potentially misleading information.”
“Accordingly, the Commission agrees with the decision of MIIF to exercise its right to defer access in accordance with section 22 of the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989).”
Section 22 of the Act permits a public institution to defer access to information where the information is required to be published within 90 days of the request or where it has been prepared for submission but is yet to be finalised or submitted.
The law further requires the institution to notify the applicant of the reasons for the deferment and the likely period within which the information will be made available.
In its determination, the Commission granted MIIF a deferment period of three months. It further indicated that should the Fund fail to furnish the requested information after the expiration of the deferment period, the Commission would take the necessary steps to determine the matter.
While the decision underscores the balance between the public’s right to information, it also explicitly recognises the responsibility of public institutions such as MIIF to ensure that information released into the public domain is accurate, complete, and not misleading, a position MIIF has held in the interest of the public and investors.
MIIF is mandated under the Minerals Income Investment Fund Act, 2018 (Act 978), as amended, to manage and invest Ghana’s mineral royalties in a transparent, accountable, and sustainable manner for the benefit of present and future generations, a position the Fund has not shied away from in the public interest.
The Fund has consistently maintained that it remained committed to transparency and will publish its audited financial statements once all audit processes are duly concluded. This position has, however, not gone down well with the former board member who has rather taken to the tabloids and social media to spread falsehoods on the matter to paint the head of the Fund in bad light.
There have also been numerous misguided social media commentaries, and fabrications in select tabloids deliberately calculated to smear the CEO of MIIF just because she maintained her stance in ensuring accountability and transparency to ensure that what is finally published reflects the actual situation on the ground so that the public and investors are not misinformed.
The Commission, expressed confidence in MIIF’s cooperation and adherence to the timelines outlined in the decision.

Rights forum urges key amendments to RTI act as ordinance gets advisory council nod

The Business Standard: Bangladesh: Monday, January 26, 2026.
More than 15 years after the enactment of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2009, its promise remains only partially fulfilled, with low public awareness and prolonged delays in accessing information continuing to undermine its effectiveness, the Right to Information (RTI) Forum has said.

In a statement issued by its convenor Shaheen Anam today (25 January), the Forum said structural weaknesses and procedural bottlenecks have limited the act's impact, making amendments essential to expand its use and ensure meaningful access to information.
As the government moves forward with the amendment process, the Forum has urged the adviser to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to ensure that several urgent recommendations are incorporated into the ordinance.
Among the key proposals is expanding the definition of "information" to explicitly include note sheets, arguing that these documents are critical for understanding who made decisions, how they were taken, and the roles played by individual officials. The Forum said note sheets should be included under Section 2(f) of the Act.
The Forum has also called for broadening the scope of authorities covered by the law. It proposed bringing government, autonomous and local government bodies explicitly within the act's ambit, alongside statutory institutions. In addition, it recommended extending the law to private entities that perform government work under contract, licence, permit or approval, as well as political parties registered with the Election Commission.
On institutional reform, the Forum suggested formally adding "Bangladesh" to the name of the Information Commission under Section 11(1) and introducing a new provision requiring that vacancies in the posts of Chief Information Commissioner or Information Commissioners be filled within a maximum of 45 days.
To strengthen the independence of the commission, the Forum proposed aligning the rank, remuneration and benefits of the chief information commissioner and information commissioners with those of judges of the Appellate Division and the High Court Division, in line with other constitutional bodies such as the National Human Rights Commission.
The Forum also recommended amending the penalty provisions under Section 27 to enhance accountability, particularly in cases where responsible or appellate officers refuse to accept information requests or appeals without reasonable cause.
While welcoming the move to amend the law through an ordinance, the Forum said a comprehensive amendment incorporating the remaining proposals is necessary to ensure effective implementation of the RTI Act and to achieve its original objective of guaranteeing citizens' right to information.

Uttarakhand MPs divert Rs 1.28 crore of constituency funds to other states, RTI reveals :Narendra Sethi

New Indian Express: Uttarakhand: Monday, January 26, 2026.
A startling revelation under the Right to Information (RTI) Act has exposed that several MPs from Uttarakhand are allocating significant portions of their Constituency Development Funds (CDF) to projects in neighboring states like Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, even as remote areas within Uttarakhand continue to grapple with severe infrastructure deficits, including basic amenities like clean water.

Documents obtained via RTI show that MPs have sanctioned approximately Rs 1.28 crore for works such as installing tube wells, constructing community halls, and improving drainage systems in other states.
This practice has ignited sharp criticism from the opposition Congress, which accuses the ruling party of prioritising sectarian politics over regional development.
The data highlights that Tehri Garhwal MP, Mala Rajya Lakshmi Shah, leads the list in allocating funds outside the state. She has reportedly focused substantial aid on the Agra district in Uttar Pradesh, sanctioning a total of Rs 1 crore for the financial year 2024–25 for projects including footpaths, pedestrian ways, and drinking water schemes.
Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Bansal also appears on the list, having allocated Rs 25 lakh for school, college, and community building projects in Haryana.
Even funds sanctioned years ago continue to be utilised elsewhere. Former Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Vijay’s allocation from his 2010–2016 tenure, sanctioned as late as December 10, 2025, saw Rs 3 lakh approved for drainage and road works in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh.
Almora MP Ajay Tamta also directed funds toward a neighboring district, approving Rs 5 lakh for constructing rooms and halls in schools and colleges in Nainital, despite the broader state needs.
This ability to spend CDF outside the constituency stems from recent amendments to the guidelines. A letter from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation dated August 13, 2024, revised the rules, now allowing MPs to recommend development works anywhere in the country, subject to a maximum limit of Rs 50 lakh per financial year.
Defending the expenditure, Tehri MP Mala Rajya Lakshmi Shah stated that the people of Uttarakhand reside across the nation.
“Some individuals approached me with genuine needs, and based on that, certain works were approved,” Shah commented. “The development of Tehri remains my primary focus, and the majority of my fund is spent here.”
However, the opposition has slammed this allocation strategy amidst the state’s ongoing challenges with migration, fueled by a lack of development.
Garima Mahara Dasouni, Chief Spokesperson of the Congress Party, launched a scathing attack, stating, “While Members of Parliament may cite technical discretion in the use of Constituency Development Funds, it is nothing short of a betrayal of Uttarakhand to ignore the large-scale migration from its hill regions driven by neglect, unemployment, and lack of basic infrastructure - only to divert public funds to projects outside the state.”
She further added, “What is even more disturbing is the growing pattern of these funds being channelled towards private institutions, raising serious questions about intent, transparency, and possible misuse of public money. This selective generosity towards private entities reeks of impropriety and demands immediate scrutiny.”
Dasouni asserted, “The BJP has completely abandoned the people of Uttarakhand. Instead of focusing on roads, healthcare, education, and employment in the hills, the party is obsessed with the politics of temples, mosques, and shrines. Symbolism has replaced substance, and propaganda has replaced governance.”

Criminal action if records deliberately misplaced, orders Punjab info panel

Times of India: Chandigarh: Sunday, January 25, 2026.
Expressing strong displeasure over officials dragging their feet in providing information, the Punjab State Information Commission has directed departmental proceedings to be initiated if official records are missing, and criminal action be taken if records are intentionally misplaced.

The directions were issued by state information commissioner Dr Bhupinder Batth while hearing an appeal filed by a Nawanshahr resident, who sought information from the block development and panchayat officer (BDPO), Nawanshahr block, which was pending since Sept 28, 2023.
During the previous hearing, the BDPO was directed to appear personally before the commission. However, the appellant submitted that complete information was still not provided. At the last hearing, the panchayat secretary appeared on behalf of the respondent and sought additional time.
During the course of the hearing, the appellant informed the commission that he inspected records as directed, but complete information was not provided. He said copies of bills sought through his RTI application were not supplied. The respondent stated that the copies of bills demanded by the appellant were not available in official records, adding that the bills were not handed over by the previous panchayat secretary.
On perusal of the case file, the commission noted the information sought by the appellant remained incomplete. Despite clear directions during the earlier hearing, the BDPO failed to appear and did not file any reply.
The commission observed complete negligence and laxity on the part of the public authority in dealing with the RTI application. It noted such conduct reflected disregard for the Right to Information Act, 2005, which was enacted to ensure transparency and effective public access to information.
Describing the respondent's approach as "casual and callous", the commission, while expressing its displeasure, said the conduct of the respondent was against the spirit of RTI Act, and such conduct by a govt servant deserved strong condemnation.
It added such employees needed to be taught a good lesson so that the rest of the workforce received the right message to discharge their duties under the RTI Act, ensuring complete transparency and due accountability in the governance of public authorities.
However, in the interest of justice, the commission granted one last opportunity to BDPO, Nawanshahr, to appear personally at the next hearing along with the complete information or to furnish an affidavit explaining the status of the records. "If the record is missing, departmental proceedings need to be held, and if it is intentionally misplaced, criminal action is to be taken," the order reads. Both parties were directed to appear in person at the next hearing scheduled for April 28, 2026, failing which the matter will be decided on merit, ex parte.

UP Information Commission rejects RTI plea for hospital CCTV footage

Hindustan Times: Lucknow: Sunday, January 25, 2026.
“A hospital is a public health institution where hundreds of patients, their relatives, medical professionals and staff move around every day. CCTV footage does not capture only the appellant but also records the activities of many other individuals. This concerns their privacy, and unless there is a justified reason or larger public interest, the RTI Act does not permit the violation of anyone’s privacy,” the information commissioner observed.

In a ruling aimed at safeguarding patient privacy, the Uttar Pradesh Information Commission has held that CCTV footage from hospitals cannot be shared with individuals merely on request under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, unless it forms part of a police investigation or is sought under a court order.
Information commissioner Mohammad Nadeem passed the order on January 21 while hearing an appeal filed by Kulwant Singh, who had sought CCTV footage from a hospital in Bijnor district.
The information commissioner emphasised that hospitals are sensitive public health spaces where the privacy of patients, their attendants, doctors and staff must be protected.
“A hospital is a public health institution where hundreds of patients, their relatives, medical professionals and staff move around every day. CCTV footage does not capture only the appellant but also records the activities of many other individuals. This concerns their privacy, and unless there is a justified reason or larger public interest, the RTI Act does not permit the violation of anyone’s privacy,” he observed.
He further noted that allowing one person access to hospital CCTV footage to substantiate a personal complaint could compromise the privacy of numerous unrelated individuals.
“We cannot give one individual the right to intrude into the privacy of hundreds of others simply to support his grievance,” the order stated.
The commission clarified that hospital CCTV footage may be disclosed only when it is part of a police investigation or when directed by a competent court. Beyond these circumstances, disclosure can be considered only if it can be ensured that no third party’s privacy is affected a condition the commission said would be rare in hospital settings.
In the case before the commission, the appellant had alleged irregularities related to medical documentation. The information commissioner said that even if such allegations were true, the appropriate forums for examination would be a police investigation, a court of law or departmental disciplinary proceedings.
“The RTI Act cannot be turned into a substitute for investigation or trial,” the order said.

Can't Use RTI To Seek Any Material Not Linked To Investigation: Official

NDTV: Lucknow: Sunday, January 25, 2026.
The RTI Act, he said, cannot be treated as a substitute for investigation or trial.

The Uttar Pradesh State Information Commission has ruled that CCTV footage can be provided only if it forms part of a court order or a police probe, noting that the RTI Act can not be treated as a substitute for investigation or trial.
The ruling was given by a bench headed by State Information Commissioner (SIC) Mohammad Nadeem, while hearing a plea under the Right to Information (RTI) Act seeking CCTV footage from a hospital in the Bijnor district.
In his order, the information commissioner said, "Unless the CCTV footage of a hospital premises is part of a police investigation or a judicial order, it cannot be made available to any individual merely on demand." Hearing an appeal filed by Kulwant Singh, the SIC observed that even if allegations related to fake medical practices are assumed to be true, their examination should be carried out through a police investigation, a competent court or departmental disciplinary proceedings.
The RTI Act, he said, cannot be treated as a substitute for investigation or trial.
He noted that hospitals are public health institutions where hundreds of patients, their attendants, doctors and staff move daily.
According to an official statement, Nadeem said CCTV footage records not only the activities of the appellant but also those of many other patients and individuals, making it an issue directly linked to their privacy.
"Unless there is a valid reason or larger public interest, the RTI law does not permit violation of anyone's privacy. We cannot grant one person the right to intrude into the privacy of hundreds of others to substantiate his complaint," he said.
The SIC further said, apart from cases where footage is part of a police investigation or produced under a court order, directing its disclosure in any other situation can be considered only when it does not affect the privacy of others.
He added that demands for hospital CCTV footage to substantiate routine personal complaints cannot be accepted.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Twenty Years of RTI: Transparency at a Crossroads - By Praveen Kumar

TMV: Article: Sunday, January 25, 2026.

The Right to Information (RTI) Act, which came into force on October 12, 2005, marked a watershed moment in India’s democratic journey. For the first time, citizens were legally empowered to demand information from the government, transforming transparency from a moral appeal into a justiciable right. Over two decades, the law has exposed corruption, improved accountability, and strengthened citizen participation. Yet, the journey has not been without challenges, and the promise of RTI is increasingly threatened by systemic delays, vacancies, and bureaucratic inertia.
Since its inception, millions of RTI applications have been filed across India. According to data compiled from the Central Information Commission (CIC) and various State Information Commissions (SICs), more than 5.5 lakh cases remain pending, even as countless others have been resolved. The CIC alone has around 1.7 lakh pending cases, while state commissions collectively account for over 3.8 lakh cases , reflecting widespread delays across nearly all states and union territories. The highest pendency is reported in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu, while smaller states and union territories also struggle with significant backlogs.
Departments with the most RTI cases typically include those dealing with public services, regulatory compliance, and health, such as municipal authorities, health departments, revenue and land records offices, and social welfare departments . The Delhi Health Department, for instance, came under recent scrutiny when information regarding a private hospital was provided to a citizen only eight months after the RTI request, far beyond the statutory 30-day period. The CIC described the delay as “inordinate” and a “serious issue”, issuing a show-cause notice to the responsible Public Information Officer (PIO).
While the law has been transformative, these delays undermine its purpose. Experts attribute the pendency to vacant commissioner posts, limited staffing, and procedural lapses by PIOs and First Appellate Authorities. Recent amendments in 2019, altering tenure and service conditions for Information Commissioners, have further weakened the institutional independence of commissions , affecting their ability to dispose of cases in a timely manner.
Citizens seeking to exercise their right to information can file requests either online or offline. Online applications are accepted through the official RTI portal (https://rtionline.gov.in), where applicants can register, submit requests, pay a nominal fee, and track the status of their applications. Offline applications can be submitted directly to the PIO of the concerned department, with the required fee paid via postal order or cash. If a response is not received within 30 days or is unsatisfactory, citizens may file a first appeal with the department’s First Appellate Authority. Failure to resolve the matter may lead to a second appeal with the CIC or the respective SIC, which has the power to summon hearings and impose penalties of up to ₹25,000 for non-compliance.
Despite the challenges, the RTI Act remains one of India’s most powerful tools for citizen-led accountability, with landmark disclosures in corruption, land allotment, welfare benefits, and public service delivery highlighting its transformative impact. Experts recommend a combination of proactive disclosure by departments, timely appointments of commissioners, enhanced training of PIOs, and strict enforcement of penalties to restore the law’s effectiveness.
As India commemorates 20 years of the RTI Act , the substantial backlog across more than 30 states and union territories serves as a stark reminder that the promise of transparency is only meaningful if enforced. Citizens are urged to make informed use of RTI, following statutory procedures diligently, while the government must ensure that institutional mechanisms function efficiently. The law, after all, is only as strong as its implementation, and the health of Indian democracy depends on a timely, accountable, and transparent government.

Records of several public trusts missing from Ahmedabad Charity Commissioner’s office

Gujarat Samachar: Ahmedabad: Saturday, 24 January 2026.
Serious lapses in record-keeping have come to light at the Charity Commissioner’s office in Ahmedabad, with crucial documents related to public trusts reportedly missing.

Ahmedabad city and district have hundreds of public trusts engaged in social and charitable activities. However, documents such as Public Trust Registers (PTRs), constitution and other key records categorised as ‘A-Class’ records are missing from the office of the Deputy Charity Commissioner, it has emerged.
The issue came to light after an applicant associated with social work in eastern Ahmedabad sought information under the Right To Information (RTI) Act from the Deputy Charity Commissioner’s office in Vastrapur. The office admitted in its reply that the A-Class records related to the concerned trust were not available.
Further, during the appeal process, the state archives office in Gandhinagar also stated that such records were not preserved there. Officials indicated that this was not limited to Ahmedabad alone, with similar situations prevailing in several offices across Gujarat.
A-Class records are considered critical as they include trust deeds, constitution, registration details, court orders and other vital documents. The absence of these records has raised serious questions over the functioning and accountability of the charity administration.
The missing records have allegedly led to misuse, with valuable land and properties owned by public trusts becoming vulnerable to illegal encroachments.
In several cases, the absence of PTRs has prevented the appointment of new trustees after the death of old ones, allowing unscrupulous elements to take over trust properties worth crores, sources said.

RTI Filed Seeking information in J&K Waqf Board Promotions and Leasing of Waqf Properties

Kashmir Age: Srinagar: Saturday, 24 January 2026.

Advocate Haamid Bhat has filed an application under the Right to Information Act, 2005 before the Public Information Officer, Jammu & Kashmir Waqf Board, seeking details of appointments, promotions, seniority lists, and leasing/allotment of Waqf properties in the Kashmir Division from 2019 till date.
The RTI seeks certified records relating to promotion orders, service rules, step-up promotions, engineering wing promotions, minutes of Board meetings, and lease deeds and tender processes, including government approvals under the Waqf Act, 1995. Particular focus has been laid on alleged irregular promotions and illegal leasing or alienation of Waqf land.
Advocate Haamid Bhat stated that the RTI has been filed in larger public interest to ensure transparency, accountability, and protection of Waqf properties, adding that further legal action will be initiated if violations are revealed.

Indian Railways says fare fixation formula is ‘trade secret’ : S. Vijay Kumar

The Hindu: Chennai: Saturday, 24 January 2026.
Indian Railway refuses to share information on the formulation of fare structure under RTI Act

The Indian Railways has refused to disclose the methodology of fare fixation of different classes saying it was a “trade secret.”
Responding to a petition filed under the Right to Information Act, 2005, seeking information on the standard methodology or criteria used by the Indian Railways for calculating the base fare for train tickets across categories, the Chief Public Information Officer held that the classification and methodology of fare fixation fell in the domain of trade secret/intellectual property rights and disclosure was not considered appropriate in public interest.
After the petitioner appealed against the decision before the Central Information Commission, the Director, Rates, and Joint Director, Railway Board, clarified that the Indian Railways is run as a commercial utility and, at the same time, being an instrumentality of State was required to discharge various social obligations in national interest.
Profits distributed to common man
“Therefore, the disclosure of pricing related information is not justified in public interest, as profit if any is distributed to common man and is not retained for the benefit of personal gain as in the case of private enterprise,” the respondents said.
Justifying the denial of information under the provisions of Section 8(1)(d) of the Act, the CPIO shared the latest base fare structure for passenger train services that came into effect from December 26, 2025.
Upholding the decision of the railways, the commission said that the CPIO was only a communicator of information based on records held in the office and not expected to create information as per the desire of the petitioner. The public authority could only provide information readily available on record. The reply given by the CPIO was in consonance with the provisions of the Act and there was no infirmity in the same.
After the recent revision in fares, the railways announced the pricing for the newly launched Vande Bharat sleeper trains, which were significantly higher when compared to the existing fare structure of Mail/Express and Super Fast Express trains, railway sources said.

Information Lapses Persist: RTI Non-Compliance in Delhi's Health Department

Devdiscourse: New Delhi: Saturday, 24 January 2026.

Chief Information Commissioner Raj Kumar Goyal has raised concerns over continued non-compliance with the RTI Act by the Delhi government's health department. Despite 20 years since the Act's implementation, public information officers remain unaware of their duties, leading to significant delays in processing RTI applications.
The Chief Information Commissioner, Raj Kumar Goyal, has expressed significant concerns over the persistent non-compliance with the Right to Information (RTI) Act by the health department of the Delhi government, despite the Act being in place for two decades.
In a recent order, Goyal highlighted the lack of awareness among public information officers and first appellate authorities of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) about their statutory obligations. This issue emerged during the handling of a second appeal related to an RTI request filed last year, seeking inspection reports and registration details of a West Delhi private hospital.
The commission documented that a reply from the public information officer was only furnished after an eight-month delay, post intervention, underscoring a systemic issue. Consequently, Goyal has communicated the need for action and accountability within RTI functionaries to the principal secretary (Health) and has issued a show-cause notice for potential penalization of the involved officer.

20 years of RTI, Delhi health dept still not alert about legal duties: CIC flags poor compliance

The Print: New Delhi: Saturday, 24 January 2026.

Expressing concern over continued non-compliance with the RTI Act even two decades after its enactment, Chief Information Commissioner Raj Kumar Goyal has flagged lapses by the Delhi government’s health department and said there is an urgent need to sensitise them about their statutory duties.
In an order in Hindi on January 16, CIC Goyal observed that despite 20 years of implementation of the RTI Act, public information officers and first appellate authorities in the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) were “not alert” to their legal responsibilities, and termed it a “serious issue”.
The remarks came while disposing of a second appeal related to an RTI application which was filed on May 15, 2025, seeking details related to inspection reports, action taken and registration status of a private hospital in West Delhi.
The commission noted that no reply was furnished by the public information officer within the stipulated time, nor was any order passed by the first appellate authority, forcing the applicant to move the CIC.
The information was ultimately provided only on January 7, 2026, nearly eight months later and that too after the commission issued notices, highlighting what it termed “inordinate delay” and failure to discharge statutory obligations under the RTI Act.
Taking note of the systemic nature of the lapse, the CIC directed that a copy of the order be forwarded to the principal secretary (Health), Delhi government, for appropriate action. He also stressed the need for awareness and accountability among RTI functionaries.
The commission also issued a show-cause notice to the then public information officer for the delay in furnishing information, asking him to explain why a penalty of up to Rs 25,000 should not be imposed under the RTI Act.
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. The Print holds no responsibility for its content.

Gujarat SIR 2002: RTI figures show door-to-door verification led to deletion of 59,199 names

New Indian Express: Ahmedabad: Friday, 23 January 2026.
Yet the 2002 revision was not a story of contraction. Despite the removal of over sixty thousand names, additions were substantially higher.

With the draft electoral roll under the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) now in the public domain and the deadline for filing objections fast approaching, political temperatures across Gujarat have risen sharply over the numbers embedded in the voter list.
Back in 2002, the SIR data obtained through RTI clearly documents how voter roll evolved from the draft stage to final publication.
The SIR exercise of 2001–02 began on August 31, 2001, and concluded with the publication of the final roll-on April 10, 2002, spanning nearly seven months. Throughout this period, systematic verification was carried out, with every stage objection handling, field-level scrutiny, and door-to-door verification leaving its imprint on the final list.
At the outset, Gujarat’s draft voter roll stood at 3,16,82,489 voters. This draft served as the baseline document, prepared before objections were examined, household verification undertaken, or additions and deletions processed. It marked the starting point of the revision, not its conclusion.
The objection phase itself saw limited public participation. A total of just 3,355 objections were filed during the 2002 SIR. Of these, only 1,295 were accepted, while 2,060 were rejected, indicating that most claims did not withstand scrutiny. Consequently, only 1,295 names were deleted through the objection process, underscoring that this route functioned as a controlled filter rather than a tool for mass deletions.
The more significant churn occurred during house-to-house verification. Doorstep checks led to the deletion of 59,199 names, highlighting the central role of field verification in correcting the roll. When combined with deletions arising from objections, total deletions during the exercise amounted to 60,494 names.
Yet the 2002 revision was not a story of contraction. Despite the removal of over sixty thousand names, additions were substantially higher. New registrations through Form 6 accounted for 78,127 voters, while house-to-house verification added another 41,239. In total, 1,19,366 names were added, demonstrating that the SIR aimed not only to eliminate inaccuracies but also to enrol missing eligible voters.
After applying the final calculation draft list minus deletions plus additions the voter roll published at the end of the 2002 SIR stood at 3,17,41,361. Far from shrinking, the roll expanded. The net increase was 58,872 voters, representing a modest rise of 0.19 percent: neither a dramatic surge nor a collapse, but a calibrated expansion following extensive correction.
District-level data reveals where the revision was most intense, with Ahmedabad emerging as the epicentre of activity. The district recorded the highest number of additions in the state at 31,540, followed by Surat with 10,447 and Bharuch with 6,888. Ahmedabad also led in deletions, with 20,682 names removed, followed by Rajkot at 7,025 and Kutch at 5,519. In effect, Ahmedabad shaped the revision from both ends, registering the highest inclusion as well as exclusion, and exerting the greatest electoral impact during the exercise.
RTI responses also clarify why additions rose sharply in 2002 and why migration was not treated as an automatic ground for exclusion. Voters holding EPIC cards but missing from the roll were restored, migrants were added after verification, and new habitats, temporary settlements, and shifting population clusters were incorporated into the voter list. Even voters who had moved were considered following discussions with heads of households, and temporary residents were accommodated. The guiding principle was clear: migration was recognised as a demographic reality to be documented, not a reason to erase a voter’s presence.
It is precisely for this reason that the 2002 SIR figures have returned to the centre of today’s debate. As the current SIR enters its objection phase, concerns are mounting over voters being marked as “shifted,” raising fears of deletions without a clear or timely mechanism for re-enrolment at the new location. The concern is straightforward but serious: if a voter is removed from one constituency due to migration without being seamlessly added elsewhere, the voter does not merely change address but disappears from the electoral roll altogether.
The 2002 SIR data provides a clear benchmark. The draft roll began at 3,16,82,489 voters; total deletions stood at 60,494; total additions reached 1,19,366; and the final roll rose to 3,17,41,361, marking a net gain of 58,872 voters, or 0.19 percent.
As Gujarat’s current draft roll undergoes scrutiny, these historical figures are no longer just records of the past they have become the yardstick against which the fairness, balance, and intent of the present SIR will be assessed.

Gurugram: 41 deaths in 2 years on Delhi-Jaipur highway stretch, reveals RTI

Hindustan Times: Gurugram: Friday, 23 January 2026.
NHAI project director Yogesh Tilak, in reply to the petition filed by resident Yashvendra Yadav, said that the authority is hiring a dedicated contractor to repair and maintain streetlights, and work in this regard will start by March 10.

The NHAI also stated in its reply that streetlights were not
functional in some stretches of the Delhi-Jaipur highway
due to theft of electrical cables and panels. (HT)

At least 41 people have died in accidents on the Delhi-Jaipur highway, between the Kherki Daula toll plaza and Jaisinghpura Kheda at Haryana border, over the past two years, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) said in reply to an RTI petition. The NHAI also stated in its reply that streetlights were not functional in some stretches of the Delhi-Jaipur highway due to theft of electrical cables and panels.
NHAI project director Yogesh Tilak, in reply to the petition filed by resident Yashvendra Yadav, said that the authority is hiring a dedicated contractor to repair and maintain streetlights, and work in this regard will start by March 10. He said that safety measures and traffic diversion plans are being implemented to prevent accidents.
“Diversions have been constructed by the Contractor as per IRC guidelines. All requisite road safety measures have been implemented, including diversion boards, blinking (Belasco) lights, and proper barricading of work zones,” NHAI said in its reply, a copy of which was accessed by HT.
“Instances of theft of electrical cables, panels, and lighting accessories have been reported. A dedicated agency is being deployed for operation and maintenance of the highway. The tender for operation and maintenance work has been opened and is currently under technical evaluation. The contractor is likely to be mobilized at the site by 10 March 2026,” the reply read, adding that there were 14 flyovers on the stretch and five of them are under construction.
The NHAI director said that an application for an electricity connection has been submitted to Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) and the lights will be made functional on the flyovers, including the ones under construction, once the sanction is received.

Bus conductor donates Rs 10,000 RTI compensation to Madurai old age home

New Indian Express: Madurai: Friday, 23 January 2026.
The conductor had taken a ticket book from the TNSTC office without recording it in the register and after it was declared invalid, an inquiry was initiated against him.

Sundaramoothy (Red dhoti) donating money to Muneeswaran
Manager of old-age home in Thiru nagar in Madurai city.
Photo | Express)

A bus conductor who received Rs 10,000 as compensation from the Public Information Officer of TNSTC (Madurai) for not responding to his RTI query on time, donated the money to an old-age home in Thiru Nagar.
According to sources, S Sundaramoorthy (40) the conductor from Peraiyur, on November 3, 2020 took a ticket book from the TNSTC office allegedly without recording it in the register. During the trip, a checking inspector declared the ticket book as invalid and initiated an inquiry. against him.
Speaking to TNIE, Sundaramoorthy said “During the inquiry, I was also charged of printing the ticket book on my own and collecting money from passengers. I sought details from the Primary Register of TNSTC (Madurai), which contains a record of all ticket books issued by the stationery division. However, the officials refused.
On January 1, 2023, I filed an RTI application seeking access to the register, but my request was rejected. Despite several months, there was no response from authorities. I then appealed to the State Information Commission in November 2025 and travelled to Chennai for the inquiry. Officials of the State Information Commission determined there had been an unreasonable delay in providing access to the Primary Register and imposed a penalty of Rs 10,000 on the PIO of TNSTC (Madurai) on December 18, 2025. The amount was handed over to me on January 19, 2026.”
“I wanted to do something worthwhile with the money and donated it to an old age home located in Thiru Nagar on January 21, “ he added.

Faulty financial model, corporate capture and data law threaten journalism: PCI president

MokokchungTimes.com: Kohima: Friday, 23 January 2026.
Warning that journalism in India has been in steady decline over the past three decades due to a “faulty financial model” that has allowed corporate and political interests to capture the media, Press Council of India (PCI) President Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty on Tuesday called on the public to actively finance independent media to safeguard democracy.

Press Council of India President Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty
addresses the silver jubilee celebration of the Kohima Press Club
at the Capital Convention Centre in Kohima on Tuesday.

Addressing the silver jubilee celebration of the Kohima Press Club (KPC) at the Capital Convention Centre under the theme “Traversing 25 years of storytelling: Inspiring the future”, Pisharoty said legacy media had largely abandoned public-interest journalism in favour of business and political patronage.
“Over the last 30 years, journalism has only gone downward, and that is mainly because of the faulty financial model of journalism in India. This vacuum was filled by corporate houses. Editors lost their freedom, and legacy media began serving the government of the day at the Centre or in the states rather than the public,” she said.
She said while audiences were drawn into “daily news fights” and prime-time theatrics, “it never spoke about the issues that concerned the people.”
“Worse, we allowed politicians and their families, who have vested interests, to own or finance media houses. Today, the line between journalism and public relations has nearly disappeared,” she said, adding that media houses now perform the role of government publicity “as a quid pro quo for business and political interests.”
Pisharoty cautioned that the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules, 2025 posed a serious threat to accountability journalism, arguing that the law had been framed in a manner that weakens the media and dilutes the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
She noted that the bill was passed after the exemption for journalists was removed, and at a time when large sections of the Opposition were suspended from Parliament.
“If tomorrow I file an RTI asking who was given a PWD contract or who the competing bidders were, that information may be denied by citing the DPDP Act. This takes away one crucial level of accountability. The public is being denied information it deserves in a democracy,” she said.
Calling independent journalism “the last line of defence of democracy”, Pisharoty urged citizens to support media not only by reading and sharing stories but by financially contributing, even in small amounts.
“Even if you pay Rs 100 a month, you are supporting democracy. When I worked with The Wire, we asked people to give even Rs 2. News should be free, but don’t take it entirely for free,” she said, adding that public-funded journalism ensured accountability only to citizens and not corporations.
She cited platforms such as Scroll, Newslaundry, The News Minute and EastMojo as examples of alternative models, praising EastMojo for focusing exclusively on the Northeast. “Support such media. It will talk about you. Its allegiance will be to the region,” she said.
Highlighting growing state action against journalists, Pisharoty said the PCI had issued a record number of condemnations in the last two years. She announced plans to set up a legal cell to assist journalists facing cases for their reporting, as well as free training workshops on technology and digital security across the country, including Nagaland.
She also proposed the formation of a federation of elected press clubs, headquartered at the Press Club of India, and invited the Kohima Press Club to join the initiative.
Reflecting on her election as the first woman president of the Press Club of India in its 68-year history, Pisharoty said women journalists in the Northeast had broken glass ceilings much earlier.
“In the Northeast, women have led press clubs and newsrooms long before the country’s largest press club did,” she said, naming editor-owner Mona Lisa Chunky Zabido as one of the region’s trailblazers.
The Kohima Press Club, which has 66 members, marked 25 years of its formation, though journalism in Nagaland dates back to the 1920s. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio attended the valedictory program as special guest.
“We must join hands now to secure our right to do journalism a right guaranteed by the Constitution and central to keeping citizens at the core of democracy,” Pisharoty said.
Former Vice President of Kohima Press Club (KPC), Vibou Seyie delivering greetings at the Club’s silver jubilee celebration, acknowledged the pioneers and visionary leaders who laid a strong foundation for the organisation.
She said the occasion was a time to introspect on the arduous journey of the Club, from holding meetings in small offices and government departments to becoming a strong institution with a permanent building coming up.
Expressing gratitude to God and the media fraternity, she said the press remains one of the key pillars of democracy.
Sharing nostalgic experiences from her years in journalism, Seyie highlighted the challenges of reporting in earlier days and appreciated the growing participation of women in the media today. She also congratulated the present KPC team led by the President for their achievements and encouraged journalists to continue upholding truth and ethical journalism, adding that the best was yet to come.
Earlier a minute’s silence was observed in memory of the deceased members of Kohima Press Club.
The inaugural event was followed by the Northeast Media Conclave themed “Reimagining Truth: Northeast Journalism for a Changing World” which brought together leading journalists and media professionals from across the region to deliberate on the evolving challenges facing journalism in the digital age.
The first session focused on “Evolving Nature of Media: Ethics under Pressure and Strengthening Credibility in the Age of Misinformation”. Moderated by Medolenuo Ambrocia Loucü of the Kohima Press Club, the session featured speakers Monalisa Changkija (Nagaland), Pradip Phanjoubam (Manipur), Geetartha Pathak (Indian Journalists Union), Karma Paljor (Sikkim), and Raymond Kharmujai (Meghalaya), who highlighted the need for ethical journalism and public trust amid the rise of misinformation.
The second session explored “Journalism as Peace Work: Navigating Divides, Building Bridges and Strengthening the Media Ecosystem in the Northeast”, Moderated by Dhiren A. Sadokpam (Manipur), the panel included Vanlalrema Vantawl (Mizoram), Utpal Parashar (Assam), Ranju Dodum (Arunachal Pradesh), and Debraj Deb (Tripura), who emphasized the role of media in fostering peace, dialogue, and regional cohesion.