TNN; Apr 6, 2011,
BELGAUM: The Karnataka State Information Commission (KSIC) disposed of 27,978 cases in between November 2005 and 2010, out of which 41,278 cased were lodged under Section 18(1), and 13,300 cases are still pending.
Bhimappa Gadad, RTI activist from Mudalagi in Gokak taluk, disclosed this in a press release on Wednesday, which he availed from KSIC under RTI Act. In 2010 (till November), the KSIC received 15,227 complaints, out of which it has disposed of 8,845 cases and sent notices to the parties concerned in the rest 6,382 cases.
The commission said there are two information commissioners in state now, but it is not enough. One chief information commissioner and six state information commissioners and personnel, is required for effective functioning of the commission. The commission said there is no time frame to dispose of the cases lodged, but they will be considered according to the rank.
Gadad said there was an urgent need to strengthen the commission, otherwise, the RTI Act would become ineffective in its objective. He said presently the commission will take eight to 10 months to issue notices to the parties concerned after filing the complaint, which was very unfortunate.
He said the commission has powers of fining official up to Rs 25,000 if they failed to provide information within the prescribed period under Section (20), besides, stopping promotions, increments and other government facilities of such officials.
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