Info chief tells govt to update websites

Times of India: Aurangabad: Sunday, 31 January 2016.

All government offices will have to update their websites on January 1 and July 1 every year, besides also putting up necessary information at regular intervals.

State information commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad recently issued specific directives to the Maharashtra government to update the websites at least twice a year to ensure that the provisions of the Right To Information (RTI) Act are effectively implemented.

RTI activist Vivek Velankar had filed a complaint with the State Information Commission against key government departments for not carrying out suo motu disclosure on their websites as expected in the transparency Act.

Observing merit in the complaint, Gaikwad has sought rectification measures at the earliest. Within days, the state general administration department on January 28 issued blanket orders to government offices for proactive disclosure under the RTI Act.

Section 19(8) (a) of the RTI Act enables the state information commissioner to directly order the government authorities to take any such steps as may be necessary to secure compliance with the provisions of the Act, including by making necessary changes in the practices in relation to the maintenance, management and destruction of records.

"Accordingly, it will be imperative on public authorities to update their websites with proactive disclosure twice a year_on January 1 and July 1_ without failure. However, certain information like transfer of officers should be updated on a regular basis," the government order states.

The Section 4(1) (b) of the RTI Act 2005 deals with proactive disclosure. It is basically a 17-point information by public authorities for the benefit of the citizens. The procedure followed in decision-making process, including channels of supervision and accountability form key revelations under the proactive disclosure.

Velankar said each and every government authority should follow the latest GAD orders in letter and spirit. "The suo motu disclosure sought under the RTI Act is for the benefit of the stakeholders. It is unfortunate that the government officials showed scant regard to such disclosure even if a lot of money is spent for maintaining the website," he said.

The general administration department has asked the state directorate of Information Technology to shoulder the responsibility of ensuring websites of government departments remain updated. While seeking compliance with SIC order, GAD has also pointed out that a notification was issued in May 2014 pertaining to up-gradation of websites.

Govt offices told to update websites twice a year :

It will mandatory for all government offices to update their websites on January 1 and July 1 every year, besides carrying our regular updates of information that needs to be uploaded on a regular basis.

In keeping with the directives issued by the State Information Commissioner, Maharashtra government has recently issued specific directives to public authorities across the state in the light of enabling provisions of the Right To Information (RTI) Act

RTI activist Vivek Velankar had filed complaint with the State Information Commission against key government departments for not carrying out suo-moto disclosure on their websites as sought in the transparency Act.

Observing merit in the complaint lodged by Velankar, State Information Commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad had sought rectification measures at the earliest. Taking note of the judgement passed by Gaikwad, the State General Administration Department on Thursday issued blanket orders for proactive disclosure under the RTI Act for government offices. The Section 19(8) (a) of the RTI Act enables the State Information Commissioner to directly order the concern government authorities to take any such steps as may be necessary to secure compliance with the provisions of this Act, including by making necessary changes to its practices in relation to the maintenance, management and destruction of records.

Accordingly, it will be imperative upon public authorities to update their websites update details related to proactive disclosure twice in a year_on January 1 and July 1_ without failing. However, certain information like transfer of officers should be updated on regular basis.

The Section 4(1) (b) of the RTI Act 2005 deals with the proactive disclosure. It is basically 17-point information by public authorities for benefit of citizens. The procedure followed in decision-making process including channels of supervision and accountability forms one of the key revelations under the 'proactive disclosure.

Speaking with ToI, Velankar said each and every government authority should follow latest GAD orders in letter and spirit. The suo-moto disclosure sought under the RTI Act aims at benefitting wider spectrum of stakeholders. It is unfortunate that government officials show scant regard to such disclosure even if lot of money is spend in the pretext on maintenance of website, he said.

In said directives, the GAD has asked the State Directorate of Information Technology to shoulder the responsibility for ensuring websites of government departments remains updated. While seeking compliance with SIC order, GAD has also brought attention of government authorities towards its notification issued in May 2014 pertaining to up-gradation of websites.