The Hindu: Tirupati: Thursday,
May 12, 2016.
RTI
Commissioner Lam Tantia Kumari on Wednesday, expressed displeasure over
functioning of ‘coordination committees’, resulting in the poor implementation
of RTI Act in various districts of Andhra Pradesh.
Interacting
with the media, during a two-day visit to review pending cases related to RTI
Act in Chittoor district, Ms. Kumari asserted that the spirit of the
legislation was being watered down with the ‘nonchalant attitude of public
servants’.
“Officials
under the ‘coordination committee’ should strive for a strict implementation of
the law, ensuring accountability and transparency. But, many of them are not
coming forward to address the issues. Such committees are being formed just a
few days before the visit of the commission and then nothing,” she said.
Ms. Kumari
said that district Collectors, heading the ‘coordination committees’, should
organise regular meetings so as to identify the gaps in implementation, conduct
surprise visits and look after the issues faced by PIOs and appellants.
“There have
been instances of false cases being filed and the commission will try to
rectify the issues. District Collector is responsible for any problems faced by
PIOs and appellants. Besides this, appointment of others as PIOs, instead of
HoDs will attract penalties,” she said.
.JPG)
.JPG)
