Times of India : Patna
The Patna
The order was passed by a division bench comprising Justice
Navin Sinha and Justice Vikash Jain while hearing a petition filed by the
Nagrik Adhikar Manch earlier this year. The petitioner had pointed out that of
the four posts of state information commissioners, only one was functional. It
had alleged that the delay in appointment was meant to shield corrupt officers.
Hearing the petition, the division bench had earlier
observed, "The purpose of the (RTI) Act is to provide speedy information
to the public to promote transparency and accountability by public authorities.
The state is expected to act expeditiously by filling up vacancies, so that
cases do not linger for lack of adequate authorities to hear them."
It had asked the state government to file a counter
affidavit. Submitting the same on Thursday, State's counsel Lalit Kishore
informed the court that steps had been taken to fill up the posts of
commissioners. Petitioner's counsel Dinu Kumar pointed out whereas under the
RTI Act the state has to furnish information to the information seekers within 45
days, more than 22,000 cases were pending with the SIC.
.JPG)
.JPG)
