Times of India: Varanasi: Sunday, April 27, 2025.
State Information
Commissioner Swatantra Prakash held a review meeting here on Saturday with
public information officers and first appellate authorities from all
departments regarding prompt resolution of pending cases in the district under
the Right to Information Act-2005.
He said that while old pending cases were resolved swiftly at commission level, a lack of awareness at the district level often leads to unresolved cases, creating doubt among people that needs to be addressed.Therefore, cases should not be kept pending without reason, and their resolution within the stipulated time should be ensured. "RTI requests should never be kept pending and must be responded to within 30 days. If the information is extensive or requires inspection, a time should be set for it. Public information is the right of the people, and it is the officials' duty to provide it on time," he stated. Providing a detailed information about the RTI Act and its legal aspects, the commissioner explained the difference between appeals and complaints.
The commissioner also said that officials should have a fundamental understanding of the RTI Act. Public interest should be prioritised in the context of information requested under RTI. A register should be maintained with complete details regarding information requested under the Right to Information.
He said that while old pending cases were resolved swiftly at commission level, a lack of awareness at the district level often leads to unresolved cases, creating doubt among people that needs to be addressed.Therefore, cases should not be kept pending without reason, and their resolution within the stipulated time should be ensured. "RTI requests should never be kept pending and must be responded to within 30 days. If the information is extensive or requires inspection, a time should be set for it. Public information is the right of the people, and it is the officials' duty to provide it on time," he stated. Providing a detailed information about the RTI Act and its legal aspects, the commissioner explained the difference between appeals and complaints.
The commissioner also said that officials should have a fundamental understanding of the RTI Act. Public interest should be prioritised in the context of information requested under RTI. A register should be maintained with complete details regarding information requested under the Right to Information.
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