Hindustan Times: Mumbai: Saturday,
January 21, 2017.
Every month,
hundreds of RTI applications are made at each of the eight information
commissions across the state.
In a bid strengthen the existing right to
information (RTI) act, Maharashtra State Chief Information Commissioner,
Ratnakar Gaikwad, has demanded amendment of the act, which will give more teeth
to it.
While
speaking at the RTI book launch function in Mumbai, Gaikwad said that
information commissions in the state and nation should be given powers, like
other tribunals like the Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal and Central
Administrative Tribunal (CAT), where action can be taken for contempt.
The book,
titled RTI Act: Authentic Interpretation of the Statute, is co-authored by
Shailesh Gandhi, former central information commission and Pralhad Kachare,
deputy commissioner revenue Aurangabad and former director, Center for Right to
Information - YASHADA Pune.
Gaikwad said,
“If some of my orders are not complied I issue notices, but beyond that there
is no power. Tribunals like MAT and CAT have it and officials are scared about
them. While those tribunals are only for government employees, this commission
serves general citizens. If such powers are given, the officials will comply to
information commission orders faster.”
Every month,
hundreds of RTI applications are made at each of the eight information
commissions across the state. The increasing RTI applications were also
discussed during the book launch, which the activists said is due to the lack
of disclosure by the government authorities.
However,
former information commissioner Shailesh Gandhi, didn’t find the need to amend
the RTI act. “By and large, officials comply to the orders. If any attempt is
made to amend the law, it will be diluted.”
.JPG)
.JPG)
