RTI Act needs transparency and accountability: SIC

Rourkela: Right to Information (RTI) is a powerful Act for common people in a democracy, but more transparency and accountability is needed for the Act, noted State Information Commissioner (SIC), Jagadananda.

Speaking at an interactive session yesterday at Hotel Radhika Regency here on ‘RTI- A tool for accountable governance and people’s empowerment,’ Jagadananda said that information sharing with people must be transparent without any barrier. From a chaprashi to secretaries, everyone is making use of the RTI Act to know various issues, he added.

Highlighting certain parts of the RTI Act, the SIC said, “Citizens have every right to seek information. For failure on part of a Public Information Officer (PIO) to provide information, he/she should be penalized. The penalty amount may be Rs. 250 to Rs. 25,000 depending upon the days delayed.”

All PIOs should strictly adhere to various provisions of the Act without ignoring, he said, adding that in case of failure, stringent action will be taken against the errant officers. About 25 cases have been registered till now in connection with disciplinary action, he stated.

He further said that in case of information and documents lost within the stipulated period, the applicant is entitled to get compensation to the tune of Rs. 100 and even may run into crores. The SIC claimed that till date, Rs. 94 lakhs penalty has been collected by the Commission Office in 6,621 cases.

He urged media persons, civil society members and public authorities to spread the basic ideas and information on RTI Act. He suggested all PIOs to maintain records which will be helpful for timely supply of information under RTI Act. “More trained public information officials are needed who can play as an interface between government and public,” he observed.

RTI Act day-by-day is becoming a powerful tool for the common people, said Jagadananda adding in the year 2005-06, as many as 447 applications were collected and eventually till now more than 42,000 applications had been collected under RTI Act from different section of people. Of which 85 per cent of applicants are getting correct information while 15 per cent lacks behind. Steps are on in eradicating these 15 per cent odds.

Later various section of people like advocates, intellectuals, teachers, industrialists, civil society members and PIOs participated on the discussion. Among others, Shyam Bhakt Mishra, Sub-Collector, Panposh, Rabindranath Mishra, ADM, Rourkela and other dignitaries were present.