STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) of the Central Information Commission, YK Sinha, called upon public authorities to remain alert against certain mischievous elements who try to misuse provisions of the RTI Act.
“There are certain mischievous elements that try to use the RTI Act to harass and blackmail public authorities. Some people also submit frivolous applications. Such cases should be handled with care. The Act cannot be allowed to be misused for ulterior motives,” Sinha said while addressing the conference of the information commissioners of the Northeast region here today. He stressed fast disposal of RTI petitions at the application level and making dissemination at the first interface level easier and faster.
“The first appellate authorities also have a very important role. If the SPIOs (state public information officers) and CPIOs (central public information officers) can dispose of the petitions at the application level, and if the first appellate authorities also ensure that the information sought is furnished as requested, then citizens will not have to approach the Information Commission,” Sinha said, adding, “The Act provides for uploading information on the departmental websites. If all public authorities do this sincerely, then citizens will not be required to seek information by using the RTI Act at all.”
In his welcome address, Assam Chief Information Commissioner Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta said information is very important for empowering the common people. “Most people use the RTI Act for genuine problems and grievances. Hence, it has been the duty of the Information Commission to ensure that public authorities furnish information as promptly as possible when an RTI application is submitted.”
Information commissioners from different Northeastern states who took part in the conference also raised issues related to certain practical problems arising in the process of disposing of appeals and complaints.
Also Read: 15-day ultimatum to Arunachal government
Also Watch: