Times
of India: Coimbatore: Tuesday, 26 August 2014.
A group of
100 members of RTI Activists' Association held a protest to complain about the
lethargy of RTI officers at Gandhipuram on Monday evening. They said public
information officers failed to provide information on their petitions filed
more than two years ago.
Under the
Right to Information Act, public information officials should maintain all
records and provide data sought by people within a reasonable time. "As
these officers delay answering our petitions unnecessarily, we are appealing to
the government to take action and let us know why we are being denied
information we seek," said M Selvaraj, head of the association.
The members
of the association have filed several RTI applications with the corporation,
commissioner's office and taluk offices. More than 60 petitions have remained
unanswered.
"According
to the act, the information should be given within 30 days. When that did not
happen we appealed to the senior officials who could again take 30 days' time
to respond. But they have not responded either. We also appealed to the
state-level officers. These officers also seem to delay the process," said
Manoj Arun, a member of the association. "At least, let us know the reason
behind this delay," he added.
The
association said shortage of officers might be a reason for the delay.
"Where 10 officers should be appointed only four have been
appointed," he said.