Info chief calls for steps to check misuse of RTI

TNN, May 30, 2010, 03.47am IST

MUMBAI: In a bid to curb the misuse of free information under the Right To Information (RTI) Act, the state information commissioner has recommended that not more than 100 page-photocopies should be given free of cost to those below the poverty line.

Chief information commissioner Suresh Joshi said the clause under which information is given free of cost to below poverty line persons, was being misused. He cited a case where a person below the poverty line sought information on the Krishna Valley Development Corporation right from its inception. The information ran into five lakh pages.

“We charge Rs 2 per page. In this case, the information would amount to Rs 10 lakh. I believe that those below the poverty line would not be interested in this kind of information. Someone was using the person to obtain the information free of cost,’’ said Joshi.

“If the information runs into several pages, we have recommended that the person be asked to inspect the documents and suggest which pages s/he wants photocopied,’’ said Joshi.

Joshi met chief minister Ashok Chavan on Saturday to discuss administrative issues at RTI offices.

Joshi has suggested that the government use SETU kiosks to provide information. “Blackboards, taluka walls and collector’s offices can be used to display details of important schemes. Internet can also be used to disseminate information,’’ he said.

Joshi also requested the CM to do away with the practice of paying for documents under RTI through challans. Chavan has also agreed to computerise the department.