Is RTI becoming ineffective in ‘progressive’ Gujarat ? : Public information officers in 85 per cent cases do not provide information sought under RTI in Gujarat.

Ahmedabad Mirror: Ahmedabad : Friday, October 12, 2012.

Lowdisposalrateandhigher denial percentage in applications seeking information under the Right to Information Act are casting a shadow on one of the most an effective tool to make government accountable and curb corruption.

It is this dismal situation in the state that has pushed down Gujarat Information Commission, the agency which disposes of RTI appeals, to 19th position in the country.

“The RTI Act seems to be losing its significance in the state. Gujarat Information Commission delivered some landmark decisions during the initial years when the Act had come into force. About 15 lakh applications were made under the RTI in past seven years. But in 85 per cent cases, public informationofficersdidnotprovidethe information. The figure questions the very significance of RTI in Gujarat,” said Harnesh Pandya of Janpath, an NGO creating awareness on the RTI Act. The organisation held a discussion on ‘Challenges before the RTI’ on Thursday when the Act completed seven years.

MOST RTIS ON GOVT SCHEMES;

“Awareness regarding the Act has increased. As many as 1.32 lakh calls have been made to seek info on the Act in past seven years. But the commission needs to be given morepowerstostrictlyimplement the law. About 24,000 appeals and complaintshavereachedthecommission so far. Of these about 13,000 were disposed of till June,” said Pankti Jog, another member of Janpath.

In Gujarat, RTI applicants are mostly from rural and semi-urban areas, seeking information on MNREGA payments and housing. “A majority of RTI applications seek basic information on government schemes. These pleas can easily be done away by an updated website or documents,” Jog said.