‘RTI Act is the most effective tool to bring in transparency’

The Hindu: Dharwad: Thursday, July 26, 2018.

It has revolutionised service sector and government machinery, says State CIC

Government departments need not fear disclosing information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act if they function in an efficient and transparent manner, said the State Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) Suchetan Swaroop on Wednesday.

At a meeting of district-level officials at the Deputy Commissioner’s office here, Mr. Swaroop said this Act was implemented as per the aspirations of the Constitution. This Act had revolutionised the service sector and government machinery, and empowered the common man to get access to projects taken up by various departments.

Though, this is the most simplified Act, officials often fear whenever they receive an RTI application seeking details. Every officer has to understand that this is the most effective tool to bring in transparency into working and should not delay or neglect disclosing information sought by the applicants, he said.

Some officials are under impression that this Act has been brought into force to harass them and many people were misusing this Act for personal gains. This was not the right attitude. Every department has appointed an RTI officer and they have to act on the applications within the stipulated time. Information could be easily available when departments documents were digitised, he said.

As per Section 14 of the Act, an applicant should seek information within 150 words and it should be on one specific project. The Supreme Court has given a ruling asking not to procure information and disclose to the applicant. Whichever information is available pertaining to the programme at the office should be provided. If the information sought is bulk in nature, such applications can be rejected and an acknowledgement for rejecting the application should be mentioned.

Personal information, service book records, pension records, and income tax details cannot be shared with the third party. At the most, only the salary of the officer can be disclosed. Information related to divorce petitions and property disputes can be disclosed only to the person’s wife/husband or brothers.

Deputy Commissioner M. Deepa, ZP CEO Snehal Rayamane, Additional DC Ibrahim Maigur, DCF Mahesh Kumar, and ZP Deputy Secretary S.G. Koravar were present.