Sri Lanka Cricket Now Open to RTI Requests: Eran

Newswire: Sri Lanka: Monday, 31 August 2026.
Sri Lanka Cricket will now be open to Right to Information requests, Cricket Transformation Committee Chairman Eran Wickramaratne said, marking a shift from the position taken by the previous administration.

Wickramaratne said the former Sri Lanka Cricket administration had maintained that it did not fall under the Right to Information Act and therefore was not required to provide information requested by the public.
He said that approach had now been changed.
“The previous position was that Sri Lanka Cricket was not subject to the RTI Act and therefore did not have to provide information. We have completely changed that,” Wickramaratne said.
He said anyone seeking information about Sri Lanka Cricket would now be able to make such requests, adding that greater transparency was necessary to address concerns surrounding the administration and finances of the sport.
Wickramaratne said many suspicions and allegations surrounding Sri Lanka Cricket had arisen because information was not readily available to the public.
“If the information is available, many of these problems do not arise,” he said.
He added that the transformation process would also examine Sri Lanka Cricket’s financial management, governance structure and whether suitably qualified individuals were serving in the appropriate positions.
Wickramaratne said a new constitution for Sri Lanka Cricket had already been prepared following consultations with multiple stakeholders and submitted to the government.
The proposed constitution is expected to be presented to the Cabinet before being taken to Parliament.
He said the reforms were aimed at establishing good governance while ensuring there was no political interference in cricket administration or team selection.
Wickramaratne also said rebuilding Sri Lankan cricket would require reforms from the school level upwards, including improvements to grounds, turf wickets and practice facilities.
He said former Sri Lanka cricketers Kumar Sangakkara, Sidath Wettimuny and Roshan Mahanama were among those contributing to the cricket-related reform process.
Wickramaratne stressed that national team selection would remain entirely with the selectors, without interference from politicians, administrators or the transformation committee.
He also said Sri Lanka needed more Test cricket and that discussions were being initiated to secure additional Test matches in the future. (Newswire)

HDC becomes first SOE to publish information proactively: Malika Shahid

Edition.mv: Maldive: Monday, 31 August 2026.
HDC said it has created a dedicated information section on its website containing a structured directory of disclosures covering its operations, responsibilities, financial information and governance processes.
Housing Development Corporation (HDC) has become the first state owned enterprise to proactively disclose information required under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

Ali Zuhair, DD of HDC speaks at the company's 25th anniversary event, Photo: Fayaz Moosa

In a statement issued, HDC said it has published all categories of information required under the RTI Act on its official website, making it fully accessible to the public.
RTI Act requires public authorities to regularly publish key categories of information, including institutional structure, services, budgets, expenditure, salaries and decision-making processes, at least once a year.
HDC said it has created a dedicated information section on its website containing a structured directory of disclosures covering its operations, responsibilities, financial information and governance processes.
The company said it was proud to be the first state owned enterprise to comply with the proactive disclosure requirements in this manner.
“HDC is always striving to manage its affairs in a transparent manner and provide better services to the public,” the company said.
The Information Commissioner’s Office has previously stated that all state institutions, including ministries and the President’s Office, are required to meet proactive disclosure obligations under the RTI Act, even in the absence of specific public requests.
Earlier this month, Information Commissioner Ahid Rasheed said in a post on X,  the President’s Office and 16 ministries had achieved near-complete compliance with proactive disclosure requirements, averaging close to 100 percent publication of mandated information.

Karnataka university wins 14-year tax battle, recovers Rs 700 crore using RTI

The Indian Express: Bengaluru: Monday, 31 August 2026.
Visvesvaraya Technological University has recovered Rs 700 crore in frozen corpus funds after a 14-year-long tax dispute, using an RTI record from 1999.

Visvesvaraya Technological University (Image from official website)

After a 14-year-long struggle, the Belagavi-headquartered Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) has recovered Rs 700 crore in frozen corpus funds belonging to the institute from the Income Tax department.
The funds were frozen in 2012-13 after the Income Tax Department issued a notice to VTU demanding payment of Rs 250 crore in income tax from the time the university was established. The Income Tax Department argued that VTU had not obtained tax exemption under Section 12(A) of the Income Tax Act and therefore had to pay the tax dues.
The institute had challenged the matter in court but without success.
The university finally succeeded in recovering the assets by using information obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
VTU Vice-Chancellor S Vidyashankar said, “We came to know that the university had applied for tax exemption under Section 12(A) as early as 1999. However, there were no documents available to prove this. Finally, we filed an RTI application before the Income Tax Department and obtained the 1999 entry register. Through this, we are now recovering our university’s money.”
The vice-chancellor said the university has decided to deposit the money in a nationalised bank for 10 years. From the eleventh year onwards, the interest income generated from the deposit will be used to pay the salaries of the staff.

Who Is Dr. Arvinder Singh? A Disability Rights Activist Advancing Accessibility and RPwD Act Implementation in India : By Anushka Paliwal

Udaipur Blog: Udaipur: Monday, 31 August 2026.
Disability rights become meaningful when legal protections are translated into accessible services, fair procedures and equal participation. Dr. Arvinder Singh, a physician, healthcare entrepreneur, legal professional and person with locomotor disability due to polio, has increasingly focused his public work on this implementation gap.

From lived experience and healthcare leadership to legal advocacy, RTI, accessibility action and institutional engagement

As Founder and President of Panacea Disability Rights Activists (PDRA), a unit of the registered Panacea Educational Society in Udaipur, Rajasthan, he uses a combination of Right to Information (RTI) applications, accessibility observations, representations, legal proceedings, public education and constructive engagement with institutions to promote implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPwD Act).
His approach is deliberately rights-based. Rather than presenting persons with disabilities as recipients of charity, it emphasises dignity, accessibility, non-discrimination, reasonable accommodation, accountability and participation. The objective is not confrontation with institutions, but measurable improvement through law, evidence and sustained follow-up.
A Multidisciplinary Path to Disability-Rights Advocacy
Dr. Singh’s professional background spans medicine, management, law, dispute resolution, entrepreneurship, communication and technology. He is an MBBS and MD in Clinical Pathology, an MBA Gold Medallist from the Indian Institute of Management, and an LLB. He has also undertaken advanced learning in arbitration, commercial mediation, communication, artificial intelligence and leadership through Indian and international institutions.
This multidisciplinary background is relevant to disability-rights work because accessibility problems rarely sit within a single domain. A hospital may require clinical understanding and accessible patient flow; a bank may involve service design and legal obligations; a transport complaint may require documentary evidence and administrative follow-up; and a public-policy issue may require communication with several authorities before change becomes possible.
His lived experience of locomotor disability adds another dimension. It provides direct understanding of physical access, mobility, dignity and the practical consequences of systems that are designed without disabled users in mind.
Panacea Disability Rights Activists: From Awareness to Implementation
Panacea Disability Rights Activists operates as a unit of Panacea Educational Society, registered in Udaipur under Registration No. 165/Udaipur/2011-12. Its work is centred on disability rights, accessibility and legal empowerment under the RPwD Act, 2016.
PDRA’s work has expanded across sectors including banking, public transport, railways, police services, education, healthcare, government buildings and other public-facing systems. Its methods include:

• RTI applications to obtain official information on accessibility and compliance;

• field observations and accessibility reviews;

• representations and complaints to competent authorities;

• legal proceedings where administrative remedies remain unresolved;

• awareness programmes on disability rights and available legal remedies;

• media and public-education initiatives that explain accessibility in constructive, practical terms; and

• follow-up with institutions to encourage corrective action and sustainable compliance.

Across its recent advocacy work, PDRA has filed hundreds of RTI applications with public authorities and institutions. The value of this approach is not the number alone: RTI creates an evidence trail that can identify gaps, clarify responsibility and make subsequent representations more precise.
Examples of Rights-Based Action
1. Public transport and accessibility
In Rajasthan Roadways-related matters, RTI applications were used to seek information about facilities for persons with disabilities at bus stands, buses and depots. Where responses were incomplete or disputed, the matter was pursued through formal administrative and legal channels rather than being limited to public criticism.
This reflects a broader principle of PDRA’s work: first establish the facts, then identify the applicable duty, and finally seek corrective action through the appropriate authority.
2. Accessible policing and disability-sensitive procedures
Representations concerning the treatment and accessibility needs of persons with disabilities were taken up with Rajasthan’s Home Department and police authorities. Subsequent official communications and follow-up brought greater administrative attention to disability-friendly police infrastructure, awareness of the RPwD Act and the need for disability-sensitive handling of complaints and criminal-law processes.
The significance lies in institutional engagement: disability inclusion in policing requires not only ramps or physical access, but also trained personnel, appropriate communication and procedures that recognise the rights and needs of persons with different disabilities.
3. Banking accessibility
PDRA has used RTI, accessibility observations and formal complaints to examine barriers in banking services. Issues such as branch access, accessible ATMs, service counters and customer processes matter because financial inclusion is inseparable from independent living and equal participation.
4. Education and community inclusion
Dr. Singh and PDRA have also engaged with schools serving students with disabilities, combining awareness of legal rights with practical accessibility improvements and community participation. Such work keeps advocacy connected to the everyday environments in which children and young adults learn, travel and build independence.
A Personal Journey That Informs the Advocacy
Dr. Singh lives with locomotor disability due to polio and has used calipers, crutches and other mobility support over many years. His public journey includes an adventure world record for riding a quad bike at Khardung La in Ladakh, an achievement reported by national media and recorded by the World Book of Records.
The relevance of this achievement to disability rights is not that every person with a disability must perform an extraordinary feat. The more useful message is that assumptions about capability are often unreliable, and that opportunity, adaptation, assistive support and accessible environments can significantly expand participation.
He is also a three-time world-record holder, with other records relating to academic achievement. His documented academic journey includes a large number of degrees, diplomas and professional certifications. Because publicly reported totals have varied over time as new qualifications were added, the more durable fact is the continuing pattern of multidisciplinary lifelong learning rather than a fixed numerical count.
Recognition for Disability and Social-Service Work
On 15 August 2026, Dr. Singh received a Rajasthan Government state-level Prashasti-Patra for commendable services in social service. His disability-rights and accessibility work has also received recognition in programmes involving Rajasthan’s Social Justice and Empowerment leadership and other public and civic institutions.
He has previously received professional and international recognitions associated with healthcare, education and leadership, including an honour at the House of Commons in the United Kingdom. These achievements provide background to his public profile, but the central measure of disability-rights work remains whether institutions become more accessible and persons with disabilities gain more effective access to their rights.
Why His Approach Is Different

• Lived experience: disability rights are approached not only as a policy subject but as a daily reality.

• Legal orientation: advocacy is linked to the RPwD Act, RTI Act, administrative processes and available legal remedies.

• Evidence before allegation: official information, documents and field observations are used to establish the issue.

• Cross-sector understanding: healthcare, law, management and communication are combined rather than treated separately.

• Constructive institutional engagement: government departments and service providers are approached as essential partners in implementation while accountability is preserved.

• Follow-through: complaints and representations are monitored beyond the first letter or media report.

A Rights-Based Vision for an Accessible India
Dr. Singh’s stated vision is an India in which accessibility is incorporated into governance, education, healthcare, banking, transport, workplaces, technology and public infrastructure as a normal design standard. This aligns with the RPwD Act, 2016 and the broader principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
For government and public institutions, the message is collaborative: India already has a substantial legal framework for disability rights, and continued implementation, monitoring, capacity-building and accessible design can convert those legal commitments into better everyday experiences for citizens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Dr. Arvinder Singh?
Dr. Arvinder Singh is a pathologist, healthcare entrepreneur, legal professional and disability-rights activist based in Udaipur, Rajasthan. He is the Founder and President of Panacea Disability Rights Activists and CEO of Arth Diagnostics. 
What does Panacea Disability Rights Activists do?
PDRA works on disability rights, accessibility and legal empowerment through RTI, accessibility observations, complaints, representations, legal action, awareness and institutional engagement.
What law is central to his disability-rights work?
The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 is the principal legal framework around which much of the advocacy is organised, alongside relevant administrative and legal remedies.
Is the work focused only on Rajasthan?
Most direct field and institutional engagement has been Rajasthan-based, while the legal principles, educational content and guidance on the RPwD Act are relevant across India.
What is distinctive about his advocacy?
Its combination of lived disability experience, healthcare knowledge, legal training, evidence-based RTI work, organisational leadership and sustained follow-up distinguishes the approach.
Conclusion: Turning Rights Into Everyday Access
Dr. Arvinder Singh’s disability-rights work is best understood not as a story of personal triumph alone, but as an attempt to translate rights into systems. The recurring tools are simple but powerful: evidence, law, accessibility assessment, communication and persistence.
The broader lesson is equally important. Disability inclusion becomes sustainable when persons with disabilities participate in leadership, government departments remain engaged in implementation, service providers design for accessibility, and civil society uses legal processes responsibly. In that ecosystem, advocacy is not anti-institutional; it helps institutions fulfil the inclusive purpose already embedded in Indian law.

Visvesvaraya Technological University recovers over Rs 700 crore after 14-year tax battle

New Indian Express: Bengaluru: Monday, 31 August 2026.
According to a statement shared by the university, under the RTI Act, VTU pursued the legal battle and succeeded in recovering the funds.

Visvesvaraya Technological University File Photo | Express

The Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) announced on Sunday that it recovered over Rs 700 crore in corpus funds from the Income Tax Department (ITD) following litigation that spanned about 14 years.
The I-T Department had seized the funds during the 2012-13 academic year. According to a statement shared by the university, under the RTI Act, VTU pursued the legal battle and succeeded in recovering the funds.
“In 2012-13, ITD issued a notice to VTU demanding payment of Rs 250 crore in income tax from the time the university was established. The Department argued that VTU had not obtained tax exemption under Section 12(A) of the Income Tax Act and, therefore, had to pay the tax dues. Although VTU challenged the matter in court, the ITD succeeded at every stage of the case, from the Income Tax Tribunal to the Supreme Court,” read the statement.
At the time, VTU accounts were seized and the university had a total corpus of Rs 450 crore in various bank accounts. The funds had been accumulated from examination fees, fees collected from affiliated colleges and money reimbursed every year by KEA. Along with the Rs 250 crore belonging to the university, VTU has now recovered an amount exceeding Rs 700 crore.
The university administration has decided to use the recovered funds for the salaries of university staff. The university will keep the money deposited in a nationalised bank for a decade. From the 11th year onwards, the interest income generated from the deposit will be used to pay the salaries of the staff.
“We came to know that the university had applied for tax exemption under Section 12(A) as early as 1999. However, there were no documents available to prove this. Finally, we filed an RTI application before the ITD and obtained the 1999 entry register. Through this, we are now recovering our university’s money,” said Vice-Chancellor Prof S Vidyashankar.

Here’s what you need to know about the FOI bill and how it can hold the government accountable: Aifer Jacutin, Daniela Dizon

Explained PH: Philippines: Sunday, August 30, 2026.

Being informed has always been a priority in any democratic country. The problem is, many ordinary citizens always get trapped in the pit of misinformation. They accept information as “truth” without even verifying through credible sources. People no longer understand the borderline between truth and misinformation. Bad actors, then, utilize this advantage of misinformation to continue coercion.
In the country, citizens still struggle to analyze and even access basic government transparency records, important information, and spending records. In spite of the constitutional promise that gives the right to information, it is evident that the Philippines lacks an understanding of the Freedom of Information (FOI) law that assures public access to government information. 
The continuous political crisis, especially if rooted in misinformation, can distract the public from crucial issues; this becomes easier for political actors to maintain power even if they are generally bad-faith actors. 
Freedom of Information (FOI) Law
Senate of the Philippines Senate Bill No. 1432, also called the People’s Freedom of Information Act, seeks to institutionalize the constitutional right of Filipinos to access information on matters of public concern. Meaning, Filipinos should have the legal right to ask the government for information.
Contents of Senate Bill No. 1432

• Public records: The Government will be mandated and required to be transparent, especially if it involves the public interest. 

• Transparency: Officials would be required to publicly disclose information about their Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN). 

History of the FOI Bill 
The Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill in the Philippines was rooted in the 1987 Constitution, which lawfully recognised the concerns and rights of its people to information. It was created with the purpose of giving citizens the right to legally access government records and promote the transparency of public documents to fight corruption and strengthen democracy. The proposed bill had undergone different versions and been going around since the early 1990’s in Congress. During the 14th Congress, the aforementioned bill was finally approved by the Senate in 2009. Unfortunately, the House of Representatives and other lawmakers failed to acknowledge and pass the bill even before the session ended. 
The FOI bill had been refiled in 2013 to 2014 under President Benigno Aquino III on his transparency campaign promise. The bill has been discussed, and some versions have been approved by the Senate and the House of Representatives, but the implementation has been delayed due to some arguments that it is still limited and contains many confidential concerns. 
In 2016, President Rodrigo Duterte signed the Freedom of Information Order that requires the executive branch to respond to public inquiries. Despite this major development, some organizations and lawmakers still want to improve the proposed bill and implement a holistic FOI law that includes even the judiciary and the Congress to be a part of its scope.
Progress on the Bicameral Process
The FOI bill is still one of the most controversial transparency solutions to corruption in the Philippines, long viewed by its proponents as a cornerstone solution to the country’s entrenched culture of corruption and public distrust in the government. Since its first filing decades ago, the proposed bill has still been continuously refiled in both the Senate and the House of Representatives by lawmakers who argue that guaranteed public access to government records is essential to meaningful accountability. 
A crucial milestone was reached in May 2026, when the Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill No. 1432, also known as the People’s Freedom of Information Act, with a 22-0 standing–marking the first time the chamber passed the measure under the MArcos administration. The bill enshrines in law the right of citizens to access public records across all branches of government, mandating the disclosure of government contracts, procurement documents, and the Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs) of public officials.
Shortly after, the House of Representatives passed its own version of the FOI bill, clearing the way for the measure to enter the bicameral conference committee process. In this stage, designated members from both chambers will convene to reconcile the differences between the Senate and House versions, with the goal of producing a unified bill that can be ratified by both chambers and transmitted to the President for signing into law. Despite this progress, the road to ratification is not without obstacles. Some lawmakers and government officials continue to express reservations, citing concerns over the confidentiality of sensitive state information and the potential for bad-faith exploitation of disclosed records.
Limitations on the existing laws
Article III, Bill of Rights, Section 7 recognizes the “right of the people to information on matters of public concern.” However, almost four decades had passed since the first FOI bill was filed, and none of its versions had ever been enacted. 
In 2016, there was progress when former President Rodrigo Duterte signed Executive Order No. 2, s. 2016, or the Freedom of Information. Although it mandates “full public disclosure of all government transactions involving the public interest,” it applies only to the Executive branch, leaving the other branches and constitutional bodies untouched.
In 2018, the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued a Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) reiterating EO No. 2 to the local level. Despite the progress, only a few local government units have successfully passed their ordinances. 
For the past decade, several FOI bills have been filed, and now, Senate Bill No. 1432, known as the ‘People’s Freedom of Information Act,’ is making progress as the Senate of the Philippines has approved it on its third and final reading. This bill, if enacted, will fill the gaps, recognizing the right to information covering executive, legislative, and judicial offices, constitutional bodies, local government units (LGUs), state universities and colleges (SUCs), government-owned or-controlled corporations (GOCCs), and other government instrumentalities.
Effectivity of existing initiatives
Through EO No. 2 s. 2016, the Electronic Freedom of Information (eFOI) portal was created, allowing Filipinos to request information about government transactions and operations. Two years after it started, the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) revealed the problems with the FOI implementation, including high rates of declined requests, overdue responses, and unsatisfactory results on the requests.
A study showed that FOI requests were being denied because government agencies do not have the information, some requests were not viewed as valid FOI requests, and requests were addressed to the wrong government agency. The same study noted that various agencies have different rules in processing requests. In 2022, a new feature was added to lessen the number of denied requests. Today, more improvements need to be made to further enhance the citizens’ experience when requesting information and to ensure the government’s transparency and accountability.
Philippines in the FOI Global Ranking
The Philippines scored 47 in the Global Right to Information (RTI) Rating, an indication that the citizens’ constitutional right to information is extremely poor. Compared to other countries, the Philippines’ performance places it near the bottom of the RTI rankings. Looking at the status of FOI in other countries, most have enacted legislation that began decades and years ago, which they have continually developed and expanded. 
The information commission in Mexico, called INIA, was regarded as a gold standard, ranking second in the world by the Centre for Law and Democracy. It facilitates requests for public information through its portal, the National Transparency Platform.  There were also reports that journalists were able to use the portal when investigating because it is user-friendly and efficient. 
Significance of FOI Law
An enacted Freedom of Information law is necessary to keep democracy alive and to boost economic opportunities. Access to information is a basic human right that enables people to make informed decisions. In a democratic country, FOI allows citizens to hold the government accountable and exercise their voice. For countries with established domestic FOI laws, research shows that citizens’ participation is enhanced, equitable economic development is advanced, and poverty and corruption are reduced. 
Danilo Arao, an Associate Professor from the University of the Philippines – Diliman (UPD), said in an interview with Tinig ng Plaridel that, “The FOI bill, in the eyes of the powers that be, is counterproductive to historical denialism and red tagging. [With FOI] it would be more convenient for the media and ordinary people to expose fake news.” Citing the significance of FOI law in the age where information continuously flows.
The FOI law, if passed, will also be beneficial to journalists, media workers, researchers, and the general public. A legal right to information can increase government transparency, openness, and responsiveness to information requests. Thus, it will allow everyone to keep the government in check. When people are informed, they can make an informed decision on how everything affects their everyday lives.
Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) continue to call for the passage of the FOI bill. The Right to Know, Right Now! (R2KRN) Coalition stated, “The challenge before Congress is therefore not merely to pass any FOI bill, but to enact one that fully honors the constitutional command that the right to information is the people’s right, and disclosure, whether proactive or upon request, is the State’s duty.” 
An enabling law that recognizes the people’s right to information is crucial in keeping democracy alive. It is also essential for the public to assert and demand this right because silence can chain a nation. People can see and question only if they have the right to information.

Haryana: 14,298 employees hired through HKRNL since 2022, reveals RTI

The Tribune: Haryana: Sunday, August 30, 2026.
Activists question transparency, job security, claim of 1.20L recruitments

The Haryana Government recruited 14,298 employees through the Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam Limited (HKRNL) between 2022 and January 2026, according to information obtained under the Right to Information Act.
The information furnished by the HKRNL shows 16,580 recruitment entries, of which 2,282 have been marked ‘Null’. An assessment of the data shows that 14,298 entries represent actual recruitments.
According to the year-wise figures, 1,150 employees were recruited in 2022, 7,136 in 2023, 7,250 in 2024, 1,012 in 2025 and 32 up to January 2026. RTI activist Subhash, state convener of the Haryana Soochna Adhikar Manch, said the issue was not merely the number of people recruited but also the manner in which contractual manpower was being inducted and retained.
Questioning the absence of clarity over the opening of the HKRNL portal, he alleged that the criteria for selection, reservation and preparation of merit lists needed to be fair and transparent and placed in the public domain.
Government departments and Boards send their requirements for contractual manpower, including educational qualifications and other details, to the HKRNL portal. The nigam then prepares lists under its policy and rules framed on June 30, 2022, which were subsequently amended on May 13, 2025.
Subhash said employees who had completed around five years of service still lacked job security or a clear avenue for regularisation. He alleged that workers earlier engaged in different departments and organisations were subsequently brought into the HKRNL system, which, he claimed, was being projected as part of the government’s employment figures.
He also alleged that HKRNL employees were not provided service benefits at par with regular government employees, including pension, gratuity and leave encashment.
Subhash Lamba, a leader of the Sarv Karamchari Sangh Haryana, remarked, “HKRNL kactha karmachari ko kacha rakhne ki guarantee hai (HKRNL is a mechanism to keep the temporary employee as temporary forever).”
Lamba also questioned the government’s claim of around 1.20 lakh recruitments through the HKRNL system, arguing that a large chunk of these employees had been ported into the system from contractual and other modes of employment.
“It is wrong to say that the government has provided fresh jobs to about 1.2 lakh persons under the HKRNL,” he said.
He alleged that presenting contractual engagements as a large-scale recruitment exercise could also be used to avoid demands for regularisation and long-term job security. He also questioned the low payments being made to employees under the HKRNL system.
The RTI response further reveals that HKRNL is not an autonomous institution but a company registered under the Companies Act, 2013. It was incorporated on October 13, 2021, with its registered office in Panchkula.

Maharashtra’s green massacre: 3.46 lakh trees axed illegally in 5 years: RTI

Nagpur Today: Nagpur: Sunday, August 30, 2026.
RTI exposes Rs 31.22-crore loss to the exchequer; 1.28 lakh teak trees wiped out as Gadchiroli, Thane and Nagpur emerge as major hotspots

Maharashtra’s forests are facing an alarming assault, with rampant illegal tree felling stripping away lakhs of trees despite the presence of forest laws and enforcement machinery. Official data obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act reveals that 3.46 lakh trees were illegally felled in forest areas across the State between 2021 and 2025, exposing glaring failures in protecting one of Maharashtra’s most valuable natural assets.
The information, provided by the Forest Department to Nagpur-based RTI activist Abhay Kolarkar, shows that 1.28 lakh of the illegally felled trees were teak, one of the country’s most commercially valuable species. The widespread destruction caused the State an estimated financial loss of Rs 31.22 crore, including Rs 22.57 crore attributable to illegal teak felling alone.
The figures paint a disturbing picture of unchecked forest crime. Even in 2021, when the Covid-19 pandemic had curtailed most economic activities, Maharashtra recorded the highest illegal tree felling in the five-year period, with 81,086 trees cut, including 31,310 teak trees. The estimated loss that year stood at Rs 6.80 crore, of which Rs 4.88 crore resulted from teak smuggling.
The menace has continued unabated. During the first three months of 2026 alone, forest officials recorded 17,114 illegally felled trees, including 5,774 teak trees, causing an estimated loss of Rs 1.62 crore, with teak accounting for Rs 1.09 crore.
Among the districts, Gadchiroli emerged as the worst affected, reporting 3,372 illegally felled trees in the January-March 2026 period. Thane followed with 2,756 trees, while Nagpur ranked third with 2,647 trees, indicating that illegal logging remains widespread across both tribal and urban forest divisions.
Ironically, while illegal felling continues on a massive scale, the Forest Department has simultaneously cleared an unprecedented number of legal tree-cutting proposals. RTI records show that between 2021 and 2025, the department approved 45,803 proposals, permitting the felling of 47.14 lakh trees, including 33.63 lakh teak trees. In just the first quarter of 2026, another 6,336 proposals were sanctioned, allowing the cutting of 8.38 lakh trees, of which 3.05 lakh were teak.
The simultaneous surge in illegal logging and large-scale official permissions has intensified concerns over the shrinking forest landscape. Vast stretches of forest land continue to face diversion for highways, mining projects, public infrastructure and other development works, fuelling criticism that ecological safeguards are steadily being weakened in the name of development.
These concerns are reinforced by the India State of Forest Report, which recorded a 54.5-square-kilometre decline in Maharashtra’s forest cover over recent assessment cycles, signalling that the State’s green wealth continues to erode despite repeated conservation claims.
The government’s response has also come under scrutiny. Although Maharashtra had proposed a 50-fold increase in penalties for illegal tree felling from Rs 1,000 to Rs 50,000 through amendments to the Maharashtra Felling of Trees (Regulation) Act, 1964, the legislation was withdrawn in July 2025 following criticism from environmentalists and legislators.
The RTI findings raise uncomfortable questions about the effectiveness of forest protection mechanisms. With lakhs of trees disappearing illegally, crores of rupees lost, and forest cover continuing to shrink, environmentalists argue that stronger enforcement, faster prosecution of timber mafias and greater accountability within the forest administration have become urgent necessities before irreversible ecological damage is inflicted on Maharashtra’s forests.

Arunachal Pradesh Information Commission Imposes Rs 25,000 Penalty on Koloriang BDO

The Sentinel: Itanagar: Saturday, 29 August 2026.
The Arunachal Pradesh Information Commission (APIC) imposed a Rs 25,000 penalty on M F Bengia, PIO-cum-Block Development Officer of Koloriang CD Block in Kurung Kumey district, for wilfully remaining absent from the Commission's hearings and failing to comply with its directions under the Right to Information Act.

The Arunachal Pradesh Information Commission (APIC) imposed a Rs 25,000 penalty on M F Bengia, PIO-cum-Block Development Officer of Koloriang CD Block in Kurung Kumey district, for wilfully remaining absent from the Commission's hearings and failing to comply with its directions under the Right to Information Act.
The Commission directed Bengia to deposit the penalty with the Registrar, APIC, through a treasury challan and submit proof of payment along with the information sought by the appellant at the next hearing.

RTI Commission targets information disorder in September

Business & Financial Times: Ghana: Saturday, 29 August 2026.

The Right to Information Commission (RTIC) has announced the commencement of Right to Information (RTI) Month 2026, an annual commemoration dedicated to promoting the effective implementation of the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989).
In a press statement signed by the Executive Secretary of the RTIC, Genevieve Shirley Lartey, Esq., announcing the programme, the Commission said the annual observance is aimed at deepening public awareness and understanding of the right to access information.
This fundamental right according to the commission enables every person to seek and receive information, subject only to the limitations prescribed by law.
The commemoration provides an important platform for engaging citizens and key stakeholders on the critical role of access to information in promoting transparency, accountability, inclusive participation and good governance.
This year's celebration is under the theme: “Upholding Information Integrity in the Digital Age: The Role of Access to Information in Addressing Information Disorder.”
The Commission has designated September for a series of activities culminating in the commemoration of the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) on September 28. The Day was proclaimed by the UNESCO General Conference in 2015 and subsequently recognised by the United Nations General Assembly in 2019.
Activities scheduled for RTI Month 2026
The month-long celebration will feature a series of activities, including media outreach and interviews, a stakeholder conference, as well as internal staff engagement and team-building activities.
Media Outreach and Interviews
RTI Month 2026 will commence with media outreach activities, including radio and television interviews with officials of the Commission in Accra, Kumasi, Sunyani and Bolgatanga from September 1 to 28.
Section 45 of Act 989 mandates the Commission to promote and sustain public awareness of the right to information and to collaborate with state institutions and other relevant bodies to educate the public.
The media engagements will provide an opportunity for the Commission to interact with stakeholders, deepen public understanding of Act 989 and highlight the respective responsibilities of public institutions and citizens under the Act.
Stakeholder Conference
The activities for RTI Month will include a Stakeholder Conference on September 24.
The conference will bring together representatives of ministries, departments and agencies; metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies; civil society organisations; the media; academia; traditional authorities; and development partners.
The conference will provide a platform to develop practical recommendations for addressing information disorder, promote meaningful public participation in decision-making processes and explore measures for strengthening information integrity within Ghana's digital information ecosystem.
Staff engagement and team-building activities
A series of internal staff engagement and team-building activities will also be organised, culminating in the RTIC Staff Fun Day.
These activities reflect the Commission's commitment to building a motivated, cohesive and service-oriented workforce capable of effectively delivering on its statutory mandate.
Call to action
The Commission is calling on all public institutions to strengthen their proactive disclosure practices and comply fully with their obligations under Act 989.
It is also inviting academia, development partners, traditional authorities and other stakeholders to participate in and support efforts to advance transparency, accountability and meaningful citizen participation in governance.
The media and civil society organisations are encouraged to continue championing the right of access to information and promoting the dissemination of accurate and verified information.
The Commission further encourages all citizens to exercise their rights under Act 989 responsibly, seek information from credible sources and contribute to efforts aimed at building a well-informed and resilient society.

74% Recovery from Small Borrowers, Only 15% from Big Defaulters - RTI by Sajag Nagrik Manch Exposes Central Bank of India’s Loan Write-Off Divide

The Kanal: National: Saturday, 29 August 2026.
An RTI application filed by Sajag Nagrik Manch has revealed a significant disparity in Central Bank of India’s loan recovery process. The RTI data shows the bank recovered nearly 74% of technically written-off loans below ₹1 crore, but only about 15% from loans above ₹100 crore, while refusing to disclose the names of large defaulters or details of loan haircuts.

A Right To Information (RTI) reply issued by Central Bank of India (CBI) in response to an application filed by Vivek Velankar, president of Sajag Nagrik Manch, has brought renewed attention to the bank’s loan write-off and recovery practices. The RTI response, covering the period from FY2016-17 to FY2025-26, highlights a sharp difference between recoveries from small borrowers and large corporate borrowers whose loans were technically written off.
The RTI application sought details of loan write-offs above ₹100 crore, recoveries made after write-offs, names of major borrowers, and information on settlements through the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) involving loan haircuts.
Big Defaulters: ₹26,701 Crore Written Off, Recovery Only ₹3,874 Crore:
According to the RTI reply, the Central Bank of India technically wrote off ₹26,701.55 crore in loans belonging to borrowers with outstanding dues above ₹100 crore during the ten financial years.
Of this amount, the bank recovered only ₹3,874.41 crore up to 31 March 2026, resulting in an overall recovery rate of around 14.5%.
The largest write-off occurred in FY2018-19, when loans worth ₹7,002.58 crore were written off, while recoveries from those accounts stood at ₹761.01 crore. In FY2024-25, loans worth ₹2,255.61 crore were written off, but recoveries were only ₹53.42 crore.
Small Borrowers Show Much Higher Recovery:
The RTI reply presents a contrasting picture for borrowers with loans below ₹1 crore.
Between FY2016-17 and FY2025-26, the bank wrote off ₹6,774.23 crore in small loans and recovered ₹5,004.28 crore, translating into a recovery rate of nearly 74%.
Most of these write-offs and recoveries were recorded in FY2022-23 and FY2023-24, when the bank recovered a substantial share of technically written-off small loans.
Bank Refuses to Reveal Names of Large Defaulter:
Vivek Velankar requested the names of all borrowers whose loans above ₹100 crore were technically written off, along with the amount written off for each account.
The Central Bank of India declined the request, stating that the information relates to third parties and therefore cannot be disclosed under the RTI Act.
The bank gave the same response when asked for the names of borrowers whose loans were settled through NCLT or similar forums after accepting haircuts.
Haircut Details Also Withheld:
The RTI application also sought the total amount of haircuts accepted by the bank in loan settlements between FY2017-18 and FY2025-26, along with the corresponding recovery amounts.
The bank replied that the query was not clear and did not provide the requested figures.
Sajag Nagrik Manch Questions Accountability:
Reacting to the RTI reply, Vivek Velankar said the figures expose a serious imbalance in the treatment of borrowers. He alleged that while banks publicly identify and pursue small borrowers through recovery notices and property auctions, they continue to withhold the identities of large defaulters whose loans involve thousands of crores.
He also questioned the lack of transparency surrounding NCLT settlements and loan haircuts, and called for greater accountability from public sector bank boards, the Reserve Bank of India, and the Union Ministry of Finance.
The RTI reply has once again revived the debate over transparency in large corporate loan write-offs and equal treatment of borrowers within India’s public sector banking system.
Source: Moneylife

RTI Commission announces September as Right to Information Month 2026

The Hindu: Madurai: Friday, August 28, 2026.

The Right to Information Commission (RTIC) has announced September 2026 as Right to Information (RTI) Month to promote public awareness and effective implementation of the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989).
This year’s commemoration will focus on the growing challenge of information disorder in Ghana’s digital environment and the importance of access to accurate and credible information.
The month-long programme will run from September 1 to 28 and culminate in activities marking the International Day for Universal Access to Information on September 28.
In a statement issued on Thursday, August 27, the Commission said the commemoration would provide a platform to engage citizens and key stakeholders on the importance of access to information in promoting transparency, accountability, inclusive participation and good governance.
It said the RTI Month would begin with radio and television engagements involving its officials in Accra, Kumasi, Sunyani and Bolgatanga from September 1 to 28.
The media engagements are expected to deepen public understanding of Act 989 and clarify the responsibilities of public institutions and citizens under the law.
The Commission said the activities would culminate in a stakeholder conference on September 24, bringing together representatives from ministries, departments and agencies, metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies, civil society organisations, the media, academia, traditional authorities and development partners.
The conference will seek practical recommendations for addressing information disorder and strengthening information integrity within Ghana’s digital information ecosystem.
It will also explore ways to promote meaningful public participation in decisionmaking and improve access to reliable information.
The Commission said it would also organise internal staff engagement and teambuilding activities as part of efforts to build a motivated and service-oriented workforce.
“The Commission calls on all public institutions to strengthen their proactive disclosure practices and comply fully with their obligations under Act 989," the commission said.
The International Day for Universal Access to Information was proclaimed by the UNESCO General Conference in 2015 and subsequently recognised by the United Nations General Assembly in 2019.

Information Commissioner chairs review meeting in Tenkasi

The Hindu: Madurai: Friday, August 28, 2026.

State Information Commissioner V.P.R. Ilamparithi addressing awareness meeting on Right to Information Act 2005 held in Tenkasi on Thursday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

State Information Commissioner V.P.R. Ilamparithi chaired a meeting here on Thursday to review the reply being provided to the Right to Information Act applications and to create awareness among government officials about the need for providing precise information within the stipulated period.
Addressing the meeting, Mr. Ilamparithi said the RTI applications being received by the government departments and the public sector undertakings should be treated with due respect by providing the relevant and accurate information within the stipulated period if the applications had been submitted by following the norms.
While the RTI petitions submitted by following the norms should be given the accurate reply within the stipulated period, the applications being submitted in violation of the norms or with the intention of wasting the time and resources need not be entertained.
He directed the officials to display in all government offices the designation of the Information Officer and the appellate officer.
District Collector Ranjeet Singh, General Information Officers of all government departments and public sector undertakings participated in the awareness meeting.