PIOs and AIOs to be more responsive towards applicants- Sarvesh Kaushal

Punjab Newsline Network; Wednesday, 16 February 2011,

CHANDIGARH: Sarvesh Kaushal Principal Secretary Information Technology Punjab on Wednesday asked the PIOs, IOs and AIOs to be more responsive and quick while disseminating the information asked under the RTI Act 2005.

While addressing the PIOs, IOs and AIOs, appointed in various government departments of the state during a seminar organized by the government to adequately train them, Kaushal said that there was a need to generate more awareness amongst the applicants and the designated officers deputed to handle RTI cases in the government offices about this comparatively new Act, which came into being in 2005. This would not only promote the good and transparent governance in the state but also help the government to improve its day-to-day functioning in the larger public interest. He has asked the PIOs and IOs to take a liberal view as per the guidelines laid down in the RTI ACT 2005.

He also asked the officers to give valid information within the stipulated time frame to the applicant. Fee would be returned to the applicant if the information was not given in time. Referring to the rejection of the application, he said that the applicant would be communicated in writing along with the grounds of rejection by the officers concerned. Kaushal urged the officers to have a complete knowledge of the Act as well as the government rules under which the information was sought. Lack of information and lack of knowledge could invite harsh penalties for the IOs and PIOs, he added. The violation of the RTI Act 2005 should be avoided at any cost.

Ashok Singla, IAS, Special Secretary in the department of Administrative Reforms also emphasized about generating more awareness amongst all categories of society regarding the RTI Act 2005 and said such seminars would be organized all over the state at districts and divisional levels to apprise the officers about the RTI ACT 2005.