Economic Times: New Delhi: Saturday, 19 July 2014.
In view of
the increasing number of pending right-to-information complaints, the Central
Information Commission (CIC) has decided to hear senior citizens on priority as
many of them would otherwise have to wait for years for their turn.
At a meeting
of information commissioners last month, the CIC decided that hearing of cases
of senior citizens on priority would be considered on a case-to-case basis.
There are more than 25,000 pending RTI cases, according to CIC data.
The CIC is
the second level of appeal for RTI petitioners who are dissatisfied with
responses provided by the public information officer and subsequently, the
first appellate authority, who is usually the senior officer in the same
department. The time limit for responding to both the petition and appeal is 30
days.
Cases of
senior citizens those who have attained the age of 65 on the date of making the
application would be taken up on priority only if supporting proof is provided.
The matter of pending cases was also raised in Parliament during the current
session after a group of rights activist filed a complaint with the government
authorities.
Pune-based SS
Phadke, 73, who has six RTI complaints pending with the commission since 2011,
said such an initiative would be helpful, especially for senior citizens
seeking information on grievances such as pension, banking and property.
"Most of
the RTI requests by senior citizens pertain to personal grievances and any kind
of delay in getting such information impacts us most. We avoid going to
commission because of the delay in disposal," he added.
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