Maharashtra government on Thursday launched an online facility for making application under the Right to Information Act.
The website (www.rtionline.maharashtra.gov.in) received 40 applications on the first day, officials said.
Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had recently said such a facility would be started from January 1.
Rajesh Aggarwal, principal secretary, IT, said the government will ensure that nodal officers of various departments dispose of these online applications in a time-bound manner.
The website, which has both English and Marathi versions, also allows filing of first appeal if the information is denied, etc. It also informs about status of the application.
Fee for the RTI application can be paid through internet banking or debit/credit cards.
"We have ensured that no department is left (from being connected to the portal). Once an application is
filed, the applicant will be given a registration number through SMS and email," he said.
RTI activist and former information commissioner Shailesh Gandhi said he used the facility and found it satisfactory.
"I filed my first online application through the site today. The application can be filed in about five minutes, sitting at home, by anyone who has internet access. This is a very good initiative. It will also save paper, and could lead to (further facility of) replies being sent by email. I am sure cyber-cafes will soon offer this service to customers by charging a small fee," Gandhi said.
{{/usCountry}}"I filed my first online application through the site today. The application can be filed in about five minutes, sitting at home, by anyone who has internet access. This is a very good initiative. It will also save paper, and could lead to (further facility of) replies being sent by email. I am sure cyber-cafes will soon offer this service to customers by charging a small fee," Gandhi said.
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