'Authorities reluctant to disclose info under RTI Act'

Three years after implementation of the RTI Act, many public authorities are still “reluctant” to disclose information, the Central Information Commission has said and demanded enhanced manpower for effective compliance of the Act.

Three years after implementation of the RTI Act, many public authorities are still “reluctant” to disclose information, the Central Information Commission has said and demanded enhanced manpower for effective compliance of the Act.

HT Image

Many organisations are yet to comply with Section 4, a mandatory requirement under which public authorities are liable to disclose information and make it accessible for public, Central Information Commissioner Shailesh Gandhi said.

“There is lack of commitment from public authorities. Information Commissioners across the country have not been able to ensure its implementation. Many state and Central government affiliated organisations are reluctant in abiding by Section 4,” he told PTI.

According to Section 4 of the RTI Act, public authorities shall maintain all its records duly catalogued and indexed in a manner and form which facilitate the RTI Act.

They should ensure that all records, which are appropriate to be computerised, are within a reasonable time and subject to availability of resources, computerised and connected through a network all over the country on different systems so that access too such records is facilitated.

The CIC has also written a letter to the Prime Minister’s Office in order to draw its attention towards various factors responsible for under compliance of the Act.