Latest news with #RahulPande
Indian Express
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Gadchiroli hosts RTI hearings for the first time since 2005 under outreach initiative
The State Information Commission, under its 'information commission at your doorstep' initiative, held its first-ever direct hearing in Gadchiroli. Decisions were delivered on 100 second-appeal cases filed under the Right to Information Act. The hearing was organised at Niyojan Bhavan in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Information Commissioner Rahul Pande, and Nagpur Bench Information Commissioner Gajanan Nimdeo. Pande announced that all pending RTI appeal cases in Gadchiroli district up to 2023 have been completely resolved, achieving the goal of 'zero pendency' for that period. He added that another hearing would be organised soon to clear all appeals from 2024-25. He expressed hope that with the cooperation of the district administration, citizens' rights will be nurtured with more vigor. During the hearing, organised by the state information commission's Nagpur bench, important cases related to various public authorities in the district were addressed. Information Commissioner Gajanan Nimdeo said this initiative saved applicants, public information officers, and first appellate authorities from having to travel to Nagpur or Mumbai, thus saving them time, money, and effort. The two State Information Commissioners instructed the Public Information and Appellate Officers present to dispose of cases under the Right to Information Act, 2005, promptly. They also called for increased public awareness to effectively implement the right to information.
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Time of India
Rotary Club of Nagpur Elite new team takes charge, vows to work for ‘Green Living'
1 2 3 4 Nagpur: Rotary Club of Nagpur Elite held its installation ceremony on June 29, marking the beginning of its 2025-26 leadership year. Jyotsna Pandit took over as president from outgoing president Dr Sushma Deshmukh, who will continue to serve as a board member. The event was graced by district governor Dnyaneshwar Shewale and Maharashtra's chief information commissioner Rahul Pande as the chief guests. In her inaugural address, president Jyotsna Pandit unveiled this year's theme, 'Green Living', with planned projects including plastic-free kitchens, revival of Nagpur's Karvati border sarees under the 'Local to Global' initiative, and the creation of a biodiversity park to promote environmental conservation. Rotarian and LITU's principal advisor Mohan Pande and Rotarian star chef Vishnu Manohar, who played a pivotal role as coordinators for India of famous Vitthal Wari pilgrimage from Pandharpur to London, were specially felicitated at the event for their significant contribution. The new team includes Pramod Misl (secretary - administration), Vishakha Pawar (secretary - projects), Dr Ajay Patil (executive secretary), Swapna Nair (president-elect), Sanjay Wankhede and Sana Opai (vice-presidents), Sangeeta Pawar (treasurer), Sanjay Pattiwar (joint secretary), Nitya Bardia (sergeant-at-arms), and directors: Dr Praveen Chandan Khede, Arvind Patil, Prashant Varhade, Dr. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like How to Trade ETH/USD Without Holding Ether IC Markets Learn More Undo Anuja Tamhane, Sneha Nahata, Dr Sudhir Deshmukh, Sonali Jichkar and Manisha Chaudhary. State chief information commissioner Rahul Pande highlighted Rotary's role in fostering unity amid social divisions and emphasised the importance of sustained efforts in emotional wellness and eco-friendly living. District governor Shewale praised the club's humanitarian spirit and pledged full support for the year ahead.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Push for disability certificate disclosure of govt employees
Pune: The State Information Commission (SIC) has issued a fresh reminder to the chief secretary to disclose disability certificates of employees recruited under the disability quota on departmental websites as its earlier directive issued three months ago remains unimplemented. State chief information commissioner Rahul Pande told TOI that despite his letter to the chief secretary (CS) directing transparency in govt recruitments through public disclosure of disability certificates, the govt has failed to comply with the order. "I asked the CS regarding the implementation of the order and the state SIC is awaiting a report on the same. It is mandatory for all departments to do so as it ensures transparency in the recruitment process," Pande said. The Amravati bench of the SIC passed directions last year regarding full disclosure of disability certificates submitted by job seekers, and the CS was then requested to issue necessary administrative instructions, but no such direction seems to have been issued pursuant to the SIC order, he added. The state CIC has now sent a reminder to the chief secretary seeking issuance of necessary instructions to all departments about suo motu disclosure of disability certificates and details of persons appointed through the disability quota in every govt office. Pande emphasised that the state SIC has called for maximum voluntary disclosure, explaining that proactive publication of such information would significantly reduce the burden of repetitive RTI applications while promoting transparency in govt recruitment processes. "The purpose of suo-motu disclosures under Section 4 is to place large amount of information in the public domain on a proactive basis to make the functioning of public authorities more transparent and also to reduce the need for filing individual RTI applications," the commission's directive stated. He added that rising complaints about fake and bogus certificates prompted this suggestion and it is necessary that such documents are disclosed for public audit and ensure that the rightful claimant gets public employment. The transparency initiative forms part of the broader RTI framework that seeks to promote accountability in governance. The RTI Act's preamble underlines the need for setting out a practical regime of right to information for citizens to secure access to information under the control of public authorities in order to promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority. TOI sent a WhatsApp message to CS Sujata Saunik regarding the directive, but a response from her was awaited till the time of going to the press.
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Maha CIC pushes for transparency, mandates online reply to RTI applications
Pune: State's chief information commissioner (CIC) Rahul Pande has issued a directive to public authorities for proactive disclosure of all RTI applications and replies on department websites with keyword-searchable access for the public to enhance transparency, and reduce the backlog of appeals and complaints. "The directive, issued under sections 19(8){a}[iii] and 25(5) of the RTI Act, 2005, aims to tackle nearly one lakh pending cases — 79,312 appeals and 18,186 complaints — by promoting voluntary transparency and reducing repetitive filings," Pande told TOI on Monday "The preamble of the RTI Act speaks of citizen empowerment, transparency, accountability and the reduction of corruption. This directive is aimed at operationalising that vision," he said. Pande said the chief secretary had been directed to circulate the new order to all govt departments to ensure compliance. The State Information Commission (SIC) highlighted a 2013 circular of the department of personnel and training (DoPT), advising all public authorities to publish RTI requests and responses to strengthen the transparency mandate of Section 4 of the act. He said, "By publishing RTI replies online in a searchable format, we can eliminate the need for multiple applications seeking the same information. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trending in in 2025: Local network access control [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo This is a crucial step towards empowering citizens and ensuring govt accountability. The departments are expected to work towards it." Besides technological upgrades to ensure an easy process, Pande emphasised the need for institutional reform in all departments. He said several departments were burdened with RTI requests and many of these were duplicates because of the unavailability of earlier replies in the public domain. The latest directive urged departments to publish all RTI data barring exempted matters and ensure it was accessible without formal applications. The SIC instructed the departments to address all appeals and complaints through both online and offline hearings to expedite their disposal. "Clearance will be done from old to new, ensuring no second appeal or complaint is left behind," Pande said. He said for the first time all the seven posts of information commissioners had been filled up. "All the commissioners are trying to dispose of cases at the earliest. There are cases pending since 2019," he said. Pande acknowledged that 18 posts across seven information commissions and the main office in the state were still vacant. "We are not receiving enough applicants despite advertising," he said, hinting at administrative bottlenecks. He also warned against the misuse of the RTI Act. "Those filing RTI applications with the intent to blackmail or harass officials will face strict action," Pande said. (FOR GRAPHIC) HL: DECISIONS PENDING 18,186 RTI complaints are pending 79,312 appeals are pending Office Complaints pending Appeals pending Mumbai main office 3,099 19,554 BMC area 2,745 5,152 Konkan 4,236 7,870 Pune 3,741 7,916 Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar 274 8,225 Nashik 1,087 13,277 Nagpur 1,110 5,189 Amravati 1,894 12,129
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Transparency key, RTI petitions & replies must be accessible online'
Nagpur: In a major push for transparency, the Maharashtra State Information Commission (SIC) directed all public authorities in the state to proactively disclose all Right to Information (RTI) applications received and the replies provided on their respective websites. The directive, issued under Sections 19(8)(a)(iii) and 25(5) of the RTI Act, 2005, by the State Chief Information Commissioner Rahul Pande, also mandates that the disclosed data be made searchable using keywords to ensure easy access for citizens. Citing the growing number of RTI applications and appeals pending across various SIC benches and the burden they place on public authorities, Pande stressed the need for institutional reforms to promote voluntary disclosure. "If RTI replies are uploaded in the public domain and made searchable, citizens would not need to file repeated applications for the same information," he stated in the official order. The commission observed that several departments face mounting workloads due to frequent and often repetitive RTI requests. It noted that many of these could be avoided if earlier replies were readily available in the public domain. "Excluding exempted matters, if information is kept in a searchable public database, it will greatly reduce redundancy," the order said. The commission also recalled an earlier circular issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) of the Central Govt in April 2013, which instructed all public authorities to publish RTI applications, responses, and appeals proactively. "The intent of Section 4 is to reduce the necessity of filing individual RTI applications by increasing transparency in public offices," the DoPT circular noted. Pande emphasized the preamble of the RTI Act, which envisions empowering citizens, promoting transparency and accountability, and reducing corruption by making govt functioning more open. "To operationalise this vision, all public authorities must ensure that information under the RTI Act — barring exempted items — is accessible without the need for formal applications," he directed. The directive requires all departments to publish RTI data along with keyword-based search options on their websites, allowing citizens to find information efficiently. The chief secretary has been asked to circulate the directive across all govt departments for immediate compliance. With this move, the SIC aims to strengthen the foundational principles of democratic accountability and citizen empowerment.
