Disclosure of information under RTI

Disclosure of information under RTI

As per guidelines dated 15.04.2015 issued by the Government of India, the Ministries/Departments of the Government of India and other Public Authorities are proactively working towards suo-motu disclosure of information on their websites so as to reduce the need for filing RTI applications.

As per the Annual Report of the Central Information Commission (CIC), 75.27% of the Public Authorities have filed their Annual Returns to the CIC for 2014-15, which is higher than the figure of 72.54 % for 2013-14, indicating an improved compliance over the previous year.

With a view to maximize suo-motu disclosure by public authorities, Government has issued guidelines to all the Ministries/Departments of Govt. of India on 15.4.2013. Government has further issued O.M. dated 29.06.2015 ensuring compliance to the recommended measures for strengthening implementation of Section 4 of RTI Act, by all public authorities. Another O.M. dated 9.7.2015 has been issued for appointment of a nodal officer of the rank of Joint Secretary for implementation of Section 4 of RTI Act.

The CIC has provided web based software known as RTI Annual Return Information System for uploading annual return online at URL http://rtiaar.nic/rtiar09/login.asp.

The CIC has, from time to time, issued letters to various defaulting Public Authorities for submission of quarterly returns.

This was stated by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply to a question by Shri A. W. Rabi Bernard in the Rajya Sabha today.

PIB