Latest news with #RTIAct
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
PSIC issues show cause notice to Mohali director public instructions for RTI information denial
1 2 3 Mohali: The Punjab State Information Commission (PSIC) has issued a show cause notice to the public information officer (PIO) of the director public instructions (secondary education), Mohali, for failing to furnish information sought under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. Following a complaint by Sukhchain Singh, a resident of Fatehgarh Churian, Batala, the commission, invoking Section 20(1) of the RTI Act, has asked the PIO to explain in writing why a penalty should not be imposed for the alleged willful delay or denial of information. The officer has been directed to submit a detailed reply before the next date of hearing. During the proceedings, the commission expressed strong displeasure at what it termed as "complete negligence and laxity" on the part of the public authority in handling the RTI request. The commission noted that the continued failure to respond to such matters reflected not only inefficiency but also a disregard for the RTI Act itself. "The casual and callous approach adopted by the respondent is against the spirit of the RTI Act," the commission observed, adding that the law was enacted to promote transparency and ensure effective access to information. "Such behaviour by a government servant must be condemned," it said, emphasising that exemplary action is necessary to send a clear message to other public officials about their obligations under the Act. The PSIC's stern remarks underlined the need for accountability in governance and warned that non-compliance with the RTI framework undermines public trust in administrative institutions.
Hans India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
People urged to be aware of RTI Act
Visakhapatnam: The Right to Information Act (RTI) gives people the right to question the government and provides a mechanism for ensuring accountability and transparency in governance, said RTI Human Rights South India chairman Baygani Sanni Krishna (Alpha Krishna). Speaking at the state-level RTI Human Rights Activist Associations general body meeting held here on Saturday, the RTI Human Rights South India chairman informed that the organisation would fight for the problems of the people and they can approach the RTI Human Rights members to seek justice. He said that RTI plays a key role in the protection of human rights. Krishna appealed to the people to be aware of the RTI Act as it has several benefits, including promoting transparency and accountability in the governance, empowering citizens, and reducing corruption. The Act allows access to seek information of all the government departments, Krishna added. RTI Human Rights South India chairman underlined that the Act aids in bringing down corrupt practices. As part of the programme, identity cards were distributed to several RTI members.
Hans India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Is RTI Act working in Telangana, wonders BJP
Hyderabad: BJP state spokesperson Rani Rudrama stated that during the ten years of BRS party rule in Telangana, the Congress party, which succeeded the BRS, has followed a similar path, weakening both government departments and the government machinery itself. Addressing the media on Wednesday, she pointed out that while the Congress party introduced the Right to Information (RTI) Act in India, it has not implemented the same laws now that it is in power in Telangana. 'Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy should clarify this,' she demanded. Rani Rudrama mentioned that on January 31, 'We applied with 27 questions in the name of our RTI consultant, Ganji Srinivasa Rao, on behalf of the BJP.' These questions were directed to the Office of the Special Chief Secretary of the Finance Department, specifically to the Public Information Officer, through the RTI Act. Rudrama noted that their RTI application had been submitted by March 31, but they received no response for a month. Consequently, the first appeal was submitted on March 12. 'After the appeal, we re-sent the 27 questions to the Finance Department with a request for additional details under the Right to Information Act.' However, it is unacceptable that their RTI request remained unanswered for 45 days, indicating that the RTI mechanism is not functioning properly in Telangana, where there are currently 16,000 pending applications. She asserted that if the ruling BJP at the national level could not get a response, what would be the fate of the average citizen? The Chief Minister, Finance Minister, and other leaders are spreading false propaganda by blaming the Centre without factual basis. The BRS party has taken loans, and now the newly-formed Congress government is also accumulating debt. 'We have requested information regarding these loans in our 27 questions, but we have yet to receive a response.'
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
CM, FM must ensure replies to RTI queries: BJP
Hyderabad: The on Wednesday demanded that chief minister A Revanth Reddy and finance minister Bhatti Vikramarka ensure that the finance department replies to questions posted under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Addressing a press conference, BJP spokesperson Rani Rudrama said, "We had filed an application with 27 questions on behalf of our RTI consultant Ganji Srinivas Rao to the finance department's special chief secretary under the RTI Act on Jan 31. We requested answers by March 31. There was no response for a month. We filed the first appeal on March 12. After the first appeal, we sent more details to the finance department. We demand that we receive answers according to the RTI Act." She said that even after so many days there has been no response to the RTI plea. "Congress party introduced the RTI Act in India. If truth is not told and RTI is not working, whom should we turn to?" she asked.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
BJP demands clearance of 16,000 pending RTI applications
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has demanded the Congress government in Telangana to implement the Right To Information Act (RTI) since about 16,000 applications are reportedly pending with the authority concerned. Party spokesperson Rani Kumudini told at a press conference held in Hyderabad on Wednesday (May 28) that just like the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government, the current government was also reluctant to part with information with regard to any decision taken by various departments even under the RTI Act. She pointed out that the RTI Act was brought into force by the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in the Centre and wondered why the government led by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy dragged his feet in providing information under the Act. The party sought details of the loans taken in the last few months and answers to 27 questions raised has been difficult to come by from the Finance department, she charged. The BJP leader pointed out that the Finance department is headed by deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and the present chief secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao was at the helm of affairs till recently. She urged the Chief Minister to take steps to see that the RTI Act is implemented in true letter and spirit.
