The Hindu: New Delhi: Tuesday,
April 23, 2013.
In a stern
directive, the Centre has told all departments to proactively put in public
domain all information related to Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects,
transfers, tours of ministers and officials, toll and other revenue collected
by them among others.
In addition
to enhancing transparency, the measure will also result in reduction in RTI
applications, according to a directive issued by Department of Personnel and
Training (DoPT) to all central government ministries.
The
initiative is part of a mandatory compliance of Section 4 of Right to
Information (RTI) Act, enacted in 2005, which mandates disclosure of almost all
matters of governance by all public authorities on a suo motu or proactive
basis. “Since the promulgation of the Act in 2005, large amount of information
relating to functioning of the government is being put in public domain.
However, the quality and quantity of proactive disclosure is not up to the
desired level,” the missive said.
The DoPT has
asked all departments to suo motu make public all details of tender and award
of bids, name of supplier of goods or services being procured or the works
contracts entered upon among others. “All information relating to the PPPs must
be disclosed in the public domain by the public authority entering into the PPP
contract or concession agreement.
“This may
include details of the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), if any set up, detailed
project reports, concession agreements, operation and maintenance manuals and
other documents generated as part of the implementation of the PPP project,”
according to the guidelines issued by the DoPT for voluntary disclosure.
The DoPT has
also directed ministries to disclose details of foreign and domestic tours
being undertaken by central government ministers and officials. “A large number
of RTI queries are being filed on official tours undertaken by Ministers or
officials of various Government Ministries or Departments. Information
regarding the nature, place and period of foreign and domestic tours of Prime
Minister are already disclosed on the PMO’s website.
“Public
authorities may proactively disclose the details of foreign and domestic
official tours undertaken by the Minister(s) and officials of the rank of Joint
Secretary to the Government of India and above and Heads of Departments, since
January 1, 2012. The disclosures may be updated once every quarter,” it said
adding that central government ministries or departments should ensure its
compliance.
Further,
information about fees, tolls or other kinds of revenue that may be collected
under authorisation from the Government, information in respect of outputs and
outcomes and process of selection of the private sector party may also be
proactively disclosed, it said.
The DoPT has
asked all departments to make public transfer policy and transfer orders of
personnel working in different grades or cadres. “All transfer orders should be
publicised through the website or in any other manner,” it said.
All public
authorities may proactively disclose the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)
& Public Accounts Committee (PAC) paras and the Action Taken Reports (ATRs)
only after these have been laid on the table of both the houses of the
Parliament.
However, CAG
paras dealing with information about the issues of sovereignty, integrity,
security, strategic, scientific or economic interests of the State would be
exempted from disclosure, it added.
“All
discretionary or non-discretionary grants or allocations to state governments
or NGOs and other institutions by Ministry or Department should be placed on
the website of the Ministry or Department concerned,” the guidelines said.
.JPG)
.JPG)
