The Times of India:Wednesday, December 28, 2011.
PATNA: State Information Commission (SIC) on Tuesday called upon the chief secretary and the principal secretary of panchayati raj department to enforce the system of "voluntary disclosures" under the RTI Act, 2005.
In a first-ever move to ensure transparency in the functioning of government at grassroots level, state information commissioner Farzand Ahmed said, "Voluntary disclosures and their regular updating on the web is the best way to help information-seekers in getting information they need in a hassle-free manner without affecting day-to-day functioning of government offices. This would strengthen the roots of good governance and help banish corruption through transparency".
Ahmed made these remarks while passing order in a case related to functioning of three-tier panchayati raj system in Khagaria district.
Using the commission's power under the act, Ahmed recommended to the chief secretary to issue a directive to all development-related government departments to put all information in public domain. He pointed out that the act makes it mandatory for every 'public authority' to 'maintain all its records duly catalogued in a manner which facilitates the right to information under this act, ensure that all records that are appropriate to be computerized within a reasonable time and subject to availability of resources, are computerized and connected through a network all over the country on different systems so that access to such records is facilitated.'
The SIC has already established itself as the best in the country through innovative implementation of RTI Act.
Implementation of this recommendation to the chief secretary would not only add another feather in its cap but would also go a long way to stop intimidation of information-seekers and delays, said SIC sources.
Ahmed's suggestion came in the wake of a case of Manoj Kumar Mishra, a resident of Gogri in Khagaria district, who had sought information regarding general body meetings of panchayats in different years, decisions regarding development schemes and their implementation between 1995-2009. He wanted all these information to be supported with documents and audit reports.
When the petitioner did not get satisfactory information, He moved the SIC. Then Ahmed asked the Khagaria DM to set up a high-level inquiry committee with the petitioner as a member. Though the DM quickly informed the SIC about setting up of the committee comprising DDC and BDOs of the blocks concerned as well as the petitioner, he indicated that it might take time as the officials had other pressing works to do.
The DM also referred to some Supreme Court rulings, in which it was stated that in course of collection of information day-to-day work should not suffer.
The information commissioner in his order told the DM, "Your reply indicates the sincerity as well as your Hamlet-like dilemma to do or not to do." He also reminded the DM that despite everything RTI is the basic right of every citizen and information sought by him must get priority over other things.
He said the DM's sincerity in setting up the committee must be appreciated. But at same time, he must also prove his sincerity by getting the matter investigated. Giving three months' time to complete the probe, Ahmed said, "Such an inquiry may expose huge corruption."
In a first-ever move to ensure transparency in the functioning of government at grassroots level, state information commissioner Farzand Ahmed said, "Voluntary disclosures and their regular updating on the web is the best way to help information-seekers in getting information they need in a hassle-free manner without affecting day-to-day functioning of government offices. This would strengthen the roots of good governance and help banish corruption through transparency".
Ahmed made these remarks while passing order in a case related to functioning of three-tier panchayati raj system in Khagaria district.
Using the commission's power under the act, Ahmed recommended to the chief secretary to issue a directive to all development-related government departments to put all information in public domain. He pointed out that the act makes it mandatory for every 'public authority' to 'maintain all its records duly catalogued in a manner which facilitates the right to information under this act, ensure that all records that are appropriate to be computerized within a reasonable time and subject to availability of resources, are computerized and connected through a network all over the country on different systems so that access to such records is facilitated.'
The SIC has already established itself as the best in the country through innovative implementation of RTI Act.
Implementation of this recommendation to the chief secretary would not only add another feather in its cap but would also go a long way to stop intimidation of information-seekers and delays, said SIC sources.
Ahmed's suggestion came in the wake of a case of Manoj Kumar Mishra, a resident of Gogri in Khagaria district, who had sought information regarding general body meetings of panchayats in different years, decisions regarding development schemes and their implementation between 1995-2009. He wanted all these information to be supported with documents and audit reports.
When the petitioner did not get satisfactory information, He moved the SIC. Then Ahmed asked the Khagaria DM to set up a high-level inquiry committee with the petitioner as a member. Though the DM quickly informed the SIC about setting up of the committee comprising DDC and BDOs of the blocks concerned as well as the petitioner, he indicated that it might take time as the officials had other pressing works to do.
The DM also referred to some Supreme Court rulings, in which it was stated that in course of collection of information day-to-day work should not suffer.
The information commissioner in his order told the DM, "Your reply indicates the sincerity as well as your Hamlet-like dilemma to do or not to do." He also reminded the DM that despite everything RTI is the basic right of every citizen and information sought by him must get priority over other things.
He said the DM's sincerity in setting up the committee must be appreciated. But at same time, he must also prove his sincerity by getting the matter investigated. Giving three months' time to complete the probe, Ahmed said, "Such an inquiry may expose huge corruption."
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