Maha uses RTI most, 5.49L queries last yr….Viju B
18.44L Applications Filed In Just 5 Years
18.44L Applications Filed In Just 5 Years
Mumbai: Around 5.49 lakh RTI applications were filed in Maharashtra last year, making it one of the most powerful tools in the hands of the common man against the corrupt and opaque bureaucracy.
There has been a rise of 1.08 lakh RTI queries over 2009, when 4.40 lakh queries were filed, with the magic of the sunshine act spreading even to rural areas. In the last five years 18.44 lakh queries were filed, making Maharashtra the RTI capital of the country. The RTI act has no doubt changed the lives of lakhs of people. We have for the first time seen people seeking more accountability in public affairs, state chief information commissioner Vilas Patil told TOI on Friday.
But he said there is large scope for improvement and the public information officers (PIOs) should provide accurate information within the stipulated 30 days. Last year the six information commissioners imposed Rs 34.38 lakh in penalties on 523 public information officers. Information commissioners for the first time also directed departmental action against 602 officers for late or false information. Pune information commissioner Vijay Kuvlekar topped the list, imposing fine on 62 PIOs, totaling Rs 13.13 lakh. Patil said penalties acted as deterrents. Many PIOs in the same office began providing information as they saw their colleagues being penalised. But 30% RTI queries were frivolous, he said.
Pune-based RTI activist Vihar Durve said first appellate authorities should dispose of more first appeals so that the information commissioner does not get a huge backlog of second appeals. Moreover, RTI activists alleged some information commissioners are levying meagre fines. Konkan commissioner Navin Kumar imposed penalties of Rs 50-100, which do not serve any purpose. The Act puts the minimum penalty at Rs 250, RTI activist S K Nangia said. He said though the RTI act helped expose many scams like Adarsh and gross misuse of the CMs relief fund, few queries address public interest issues.
Agreed Patil: In the long run, the RTI acts effectiveness will be measured in the number of public interest causes and issues it served rather than just remaining as a utilitarian tool for the common man. There is an urgent need to file more such RTI queries so that the corruption in public life comes down.
POWER WITH THE PEOPLE
* RTI applications filed | 5.49 lakh
* Appeals received in 2010 | 19,483
* Appeals disposed | 17,266
* Complaints received | 4,592
* Complaints disposed | 3,911
* Public information officers penalised | 523
* Total penalties | 34.38 lakh
* Departmental action against PIOs | 602
(All figures for 2010; Source: State Information Commission)