Contradictory orders on RTI disclosure irk activists

Times of India‎: Aurangabad: Friday, April 22, 2016.

The difference of opinion within two key departments of the state government on updating mandatory disclosure under Section 4 of the RTI Act has left activists red-faced.

The urban development department, in its latest circular, has asked government offices to update information to be divulged suo-motu under the transparency legislation on yearly basis.

The directive, according to RTI activists, has been clearly contravening the order issued by the general administration department (GAD) on January 28. The GAD order says public authorities should update their websites and general compliance with the Section 4 of the RTI Act twice a year on January 1 and July 1 every year.

RTI activist Vivek Velankar said it was an irony that two key departments come out with contradictory orders on an important legislation such as the RTI Act.

Ideally, GAD is the competent authority for dealing with the implementation aspects of the RTI Act. While the UDD was expected to abide by what the GAD had said, it has issued conflicting order, he said.

Section 4(1) (b) of the RTI Act 2005 deals with the proactive disclosure. It is basically a 17-point declaration by public authorities for the benefit of citizens.

The procedure followed in decision-making process, including channels of supervision and accountability, forms one of the key revelations under the disclosure.

In October last year, the state information commission (SIC) had asked the state government to ensure its different departments and public authorities update the information related to Section 4(1) (b) of the RTI Act twice a year and upgrade websites accordingly.

In January, the GAD had issued an order asking for updating the websites on January 1 and July 1 every year, besides carrying out regular updates of information on a regular basis.

The GAD had also asked the state directorate of information technology to shoulder the responsibility for ensuring that the websites of government departments are updated. While seeking compliance with the SIC order, it had also brought attention of government authorities towards its notification issued in May 2014 pertaining to upgradation of websites.

Amidst the confusion, RTI activists have sought intervention by the state Chief Information Commissioner to resolve the issue.

The Maharashtra Chief Information Commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad could not be reached for his comments on corrective measure sought by the activist to do away with the contradiction.