RTI implementation in UP ‘pathetic’: State info chief

PILIBHIT: State Information Commissioner Mohammad Nadim on Monday described the implementation of the Right to Information (RTI) Act in Uttar Pradesh as “pathetic,” saying that nearly 75% of replies are issued only after intervention by the State Information Commission.

At a press conference, Nadim flagged serious gaps in the functioning of public information officers (PIOs), noting that many were unaware of basic legal concepts such as the difference between an appeal and a complaint, or the role of deemed PIOs. He also said several PIOs were unfamiliar with amendments made to the RTI Act in 2019.

The commissioner said there’s a widespread deficiency in the fundamental knowledge required to uphold transparency laws. He underlined an urgent need for better training and accountability within the district’s administrative framework to ensure the RTI Act serves its intended purpose.

There are serious gaps at many levels as far as effective implementation of the RTI Act is concerned. Though a huge number of approximately 50K cases were disposed of, there is pendency of over 20K cases, he said.

Nadim said Pilibhit has 58 pending RTI cases, but PIOs concerned failed to explain the delays. During an exercise for review of pending cases, many PIOs attended without relevant files and documents which adversely affected the review process.

So far, 143 PIOs in Pilibhit have been penalised for failing to provide information on time.

He said that many websites of govt departments lack adequate information that should have been suo motu disclosures. He stressed that effective implementation of the RTI Act requires complete transparency, accountability and a commitment of PIOs to provide information in time.
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