Two decades of RTI: 2.1 million pleas filed in Gujarat, citizens seek stronger transparency

By A Representative 

As India marks 20 years since the implementation of the Right to Information (RTI) Act on October 12, 2005, a new analysis by Mahiti Adhikar Gujarat Pahel (MAGP) reveals how Gujarat citizens have used the landmark law to seek accountability and transparency from government departments. The report shows that more than 21.29 lakh RTI applications have been filed across the state over the last two decades, with the highest number received by the Urban Development Department, followed by Home and Revenue. Together, these three departments account for 58 percent of all applications.

According to data obtained from the Gujarat Information Commission’s annual reports and RTI filings, the Commission has handled over 1.37 lakh appeals and complaints in 20 years, disposing of more than 1.26 lakh cases. At present, around 1,248 cases remain pending. The report notes that since its establishment in May 2005, the Gujarat Information Commission has had 22 commissioners—two women and 20 men—mostly drawn from government or judicial backgrounds. No journalist or social activist has ever been appointed as commissioner.

Over the two decades, the Commission has penalized 1,284 Public Information Officers (PIOs), collecting fines totaling ₹1.14 crore for willful violations of the RTI Act. It has also recommended disciplinary action against 74 officers. The analysis, however, points out that penalties were imposed in less than one percent of total cases, highlighting the need for stricter enforcement.

MAGP’s study also examined government compliance with proactive disclosure obligations under Section 4(1)(b) of the RTI Act. An audit of 26 major departments found that only about one-third had updated their proactive disclosure sections on official websites. Ten departments had outdated information, five lacked critical details such as budgets and schemes, and two websites were non-functional. Notably, the Urban Development Department’s RTI section still hosted data last updated in 2012, though officials claimed updates were underway. Despite multiple circulars from the General Administration Department and a Supreme Court directive in 2021, compliance with proactive disclosure norms remains weak, the report said.

MAGP observed that the state government has repeatedly issued similar instructions to departments, indicating an absence of political and bureaucratic will to fully implement the Act. The organization recommended appointing dedicated RTI nodal officers at state and district levels, expanding the online RTI portal to include all district and taluka offices, and introducing live streaming of second appeal hearings at the Gujarat Information Commission. It also urged that applicants be referred to as “appellants” rather than “litigants” and called for confidentiality of applicants’ identities to prevent harassment.

The report highlighted the risks faced by transparency activists. In Gujarat alone, 18 RTI users have lost their lives over the past 20 years while exposing corruption and malpractice. Nationally, 78 such murders have been recorded since the Act’s enactment. MAGP noted that despite Parliament passing the Whistle Blower Protection Act in 2014, it remains unimplemented, leaving RTI activists vulnerable.

Documenting inspiring examples, the report lists 20 citizens whose persistent use of RTI brought systemic reforms—from exposing corruption in housing schemes and municipal services to securing justice for farmers and sanitation workers. MAGP’s blog, launched in 2008, has since archived over 28,000 media reports related to RTI, reflecting the law’s role in strengthening democratic accountability.

The organization concluded that while Gujarat has made progress in institutionalizing the right to information, the state must renew its commitment to proactive transparency, technological reform, and protection of information seekers to preserve the spirit of the RTI Act.