The Gujarat Information Commission (GIC) has issued a press note clarifying that its orders limiting the number of Right to Information (RTI) applications for certain individuals apply only to those specific applicants. The GIC has warned that it will take disciplinary action against any public officials who misinterpret these orders to deny information to other citizens.
The press note, signed by GIC Secretary Jaideep Dwivedi, states that the Right to Information Act, 2005, is a powerful tool for promoting transparency and accountability in public administration. However, the commission has observed that some applicants are misusing the act by filing an excessive number of applications, which disproportionately consumes the time and resources of Public Information Officers (PIOs), First Appellate Authorities (FAAs), and the commission itself. This misuse can cause delays for genuine applicants seeking justice.
In response to this issue, and in accordance with directives from the Supreme Court to prevent misuse of the act, the GIC has established a limit on the number of applications that can be filed in a calendar year by a few specific applicants who file a large volume of requests. These orders are available on the commission's website.
The commission has noticed that these orders are being incorrectly interpreted by officials at various levels. The GIC emphasized that these specific orders apply only to the applicants they were issued against and do not apply to other citizens. Public Information Officers and First Appellate Authorities do not have the authority to apply these orders to other applicants.
The GIC has instructed all PIOs and FAAs to handle applications and first appeals from citizens according to the provisions of the RTI Act and not to use these specific orders to deny information. The commission has reiterated that it will be forced to take disciplinary and other actions against any officials found to be making "inappropriate or concocted" interpretations of its orders in the future.
In its continued efforts to raise public awareness about the RTI Act, the commission is publishing booklets and has launched an audio podcast series created with Artificial Intelligence (AI) software. The GIC reaffirmed its commitment to the effective implementation of the RTI Act.
If the Appllecant is fileing severals RTI application and the PIO is providing information in need then why to bother, why this issues are so much argues and taken It's in interested. If PIO can provide information हे should provide it ,delay of information is not conclusion, hence avoiding information by PIO is not fair, also the Chief information commission is not taking action against PIO hence I think that the severals RTI filed are correct action against corruption.
ReplyDeleteNo authority including Information Commissions of State and Centre limit the number of applications as specified in RTI Act. Misuse is not allowed. If the PIOs provide required information they hold, raise no issue. But deliberately refusing and leading to further litigations is not advisable. However, the GIC well explained the matter avoiding all confusion. This with good intention and appreciable.
ReplyDeleteSasikumar Thuruthiyil from Kerala