Vuda officials asked to follow RTI Act provisions without fail

Deccan Chronicle: Visakhapatnam: Sunday, June 16, 2013.

The officials and staff of Vuda dealing with implementation of Right to Information (RTI) Act provisions were issued guidelines and instructions by the vice-chairman Dr N. Yuvaraj, for speedy and prompt disposal of applications.

Reviewing the implementation of RTI Act in Vuda on Friday, the vice-chairman directed the officials to attend and dispose of all applications received on time with information asked or with the reason for not providing information. Since Information Commission has powers to penalise and also impose imprisonment for violation of RTI Act provisions, the vice-chairman advised the officials not to give scope to applicants by delaying or hiding information sought.

For better and prompt implementation of RTI Act, responsibilities have been decentralised and information officers were appointed wing-wise, the vice-chairman said. Accordingly, head of the concerned wing acts as the appellate authority with one senior officer as public information officer and a junior officer as assistant public information officer.

Dr Yuvaraj asked the officials to acquire complete awareness on RTI Act. provisions for effective implementation and also to avoid complications. Updating knowledge with decisions of the Centre and State Information Commissions and court judgments in regard to. Interacting with the officials, he clarified doubts on various queries raised in the meeting.

Appellate authorities Vuda secretary G.C. Kishore Kumar, chief engineer I. Viswanatha Rao, chief urban planner R.J. Vidyullatha, chief accounts officer D. Vijaya Bharathi, estate officer B. Bhavani Das, DFO S. Rammohan, public information officers and assistant public information officers attended the meeting.