Latest news with #RighttoInformation
The Hindu
5 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Officials organising a series of contests in Andhra Pradesh to raise RTI awareness
To foster a comprehensive understanding of the Right to Information (RTI) Act among students, the Commissionerate of College Education is organising a series of competitions in activities like essay writing, elocution, debate and quiz at various levels across the State, coinciding with the 79th Independence Day. The event is a part of the year-long programmes being planned by the Andhra Pradesh State Information Department to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the enactment of the Right to Information Act. According to the schedule of the events, college-level competitions would be completed by July 28, the zonal level by August 6 and the State-level competitions on August 11. The Department also conducted several awareness programmes for faculty, office staff and students in government degree colleges from July 4 to July 18, 2025 to scale up awareness on RTI legislation. Director, College Education, Narayan Bharat Gupta, Joint Director C. Krishna, Academic Guidance Officers and others are supervising the arrangements being made for successful conduct of the events. Mr. Bharat Gupta expressed gratitude to the State Information Commissioner P. Samuel Jonathan for providing guidance for the event.
Hans India
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Cooperative dept role key in implementation
Rajamahendravaram: The Cooperative Department has a crucial role to play in effectively implementing the Right to Information (RTI) Act, said East Godavari District Cooperative Officer M Venkataramana. Addressing a district-level awareness programme on the RTI Act, organised at the Aryapuram Urban Cooperative Bank's conference hall, he noted the significance of cooperative societies as grassroots institutions that work closely with the public. Venkataramana urged Public Information Officers (PIOs) to be fully aware of key provisions such as Section 7, which mandates timely responses to RTI applications, and Section 19, which deals with the appeal process. He warned that delays or denial of information could lead to penalties and disciplinary action under Section 20. District Cooperative Audit Officer M Jagannatha Reddy stressed the importance of a transparent and timely information system and said staff should be well-versed with the Act to serve the public more efficiently. Divisional Cooperative Officer M Kanakadurgareddy explained the exemptions under Section 8 of the RTI Act, which prohibit the disclosure of information related to national security, strategic interests, trade secrets, or personal privacy. Ramadas Cooperative Training College Principal Srinivas explained that as per Section 20, officials could be fined ₹250 per day for delays in providing information, with a maximum penalty of ₹25,000. He also underlined the mandatory disclosure of information related to corruption and human rights violations. The awareness session was attended by PIOs, appellate officers, and supporting staff from various cooperative institutions across the district.
Time of India
a day ago
- General
- Time of India
Nearly 10 years on, VVCMC lacks construction & demolition plant
Vasai: In a shocking revelation under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, it has been found that the Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) doesn't have a Construction and Demolition (C&D) plant, even after its commencement in March 2016. Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change of India had published the Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules, 2016 (popularly known as C&D) on March 29 making it obligatory to the local bodies to manage the construction and demolition wastes within its jurisdiction. However, as per the RTI, the VVCMC has replied that they have sent the proposal to the department concerned which is yet to be approved. C&D also is a factor which impacts the AQI. Norms in C&D helps reduce the pollution while the cement concrete structures are demolished and also helps in processing the wastes to help reduce environmental hazards. Earlier this year 41 illegal buildings were demolished, a lot of illegal construction over lakhs of square meters has been demolished and several redevelopment projects have been seen in Vasai Virar, raising questions over the missing C&D waste management by the VVCMC. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like BITS Pilani Digital bitspilani Subscribe Undo Moreover the vvcmc in its letter to the MPCB last year has unknowingly confessed that they pick up the C&D waste debris and dump it in low lying areas, which is a direct compliance of the C&D rules, 2016. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Deputy municipal commissioner Archana Dive said "We have finalised and put up a proposal for a C&D plant in Gokhivare, Vasai East. Once we get the approval, we shall begin construction of the plant. Senior officials at the MPCB (Thane) said that they have sent a couple of reminders to the municipal commissioner of the VVCMC but have not received any data on the waste management of the C&D in Vasai Virar region.
Hans India
a day ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Mandaviya introduces Sports Governance Bill for greater transparency
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday introduced the National Sports Governance Bill in Lok Sabha that proposes to institute a Board which will have sweeping powers to lay down rules and oversee the functioning of federations, including the cash-rich BCCI. Mandaviya introduced the bill that has provisions for a National Sports Board (NSB) to create a stringent system of accountability. All National Sports Federations (NSFs) will have to attain NSB's recognition for access to central government funding. Another striking feature is the proposal for a National Sports Tribunal, which will have the powers of a civil court and decide disputes ranging from selection to election involving federations and athletes. Once instituted, Tribunal's decisions can only be challenged in the Supreme Court. The bill makes some concessions on the issue of age cap for administrators by allowing those in the bracket of 70 to 75 to contest elections if the concerned international bodies' statutes and byelaws allow for it. It is a departure from the national sports code that capped the age limit at 70. '...as a part of the preparatory activities for the bidding of Summer Olympic Games 2036, it is imperative that the sports governance landscape undergoes a positive transformation to bring better outcomes, sporting excellence and aids in improved performance in major international competitions,' read the bill's statement of objectives. All recognised national sports bodies would also come under the ambit of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, something that the BCCI has vehemently opposed since it is not dependent on government funding. 'Now we have to study the bill and we will have to see if we need to place it before the Committee (Apex Council). We can only comment after that,' BCCI vice President and Rajya Sabha member Rajeev Shukla said outside the Parliament. 'Obviously BCCI members will study the bill and its clauses and if put forth to any committee, they will study and then we will see what needs to be done. We will also have discussions with the government,' he added. The ministry has insisted that the BCCI, which is now a part of the Olympic movement following cricket's inclusion in the 2028 Los Angles Games roster, will have to comply with the provisions of the bill once it becomes an act. The NSB will comprise a chairperson and its members will be appointed by the central government from 'amongst persons of ability, integrity and standing.' The Board's constituents will also be expected to possess 'special knowledge or practical experience in the field of public administration, sports governance, sports law and other related fields.'
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
North-eastern Railway projects faced losses of over Rs 200 crore from natural disasters in 5 years: Railway Minister Vaishnaw
The Indian Railways has incurred losses worth over Rs 200 crore in the last five years due to the relentless impact of natural disasters such as floods and landslides on the projects in the Northeast. In a written response in Lok Sabha on Wednesday, Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the geological weakness of the Northeast is always accounted for at the stage of design and implementation of Railway projects. These projects are being carried out by the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) zone of the Indian Railways. 'Due to floods, landslides etc. in the last five years, some damage to railway tracks and structures took place in Northeast Frontier Railway which was assessed to be over Rs 200 crore. Geology of the North Eastern Region is such that it is prone to landslides,' said Vaishnaw. He added that for all major Railway projects in the hilly terrain (those in Manipur, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland), detailed geo-technical investigations and environmental impact assessments are carried out before going ahead with construction. 'These studies specifically assess slope stability, rock and soil characteristics, vegetation cover and hydrological patterns. Findings of these studies are used to anticipate the risk of landslides that can result from construction activities,' said the minister. According to Railway Ministry data, as of April 1, 2025, 12 railway projects (eight new lines and four doubling), totaling 777 km in length and costing Rs 69,342 crore, have been sanctioned for the region. Out of this, 278 km of length has already been commissioned at an expenditure of Rs 41,676 crore incurred up to March 2025. While the Bairabi-Sairang line, which connects Mizoram's capital Aizawl for the first time, is set to be operational, some of the key ongoing projects in the Northeast are the Dimapur-Kohima New Line (Dhansiri-Zubza) to connect Nagaland's capital Kohima, the Murkongselek-Pasighat new line, the Sivok-Rangpo new line to connect Sikkim to the national network for the first time and the Jiribam-Imphal new line. Dheeraj Mishra is a Principal correspondent with The Indian Express, Business Bureau. He covers India's two key ministries- Ministry of Railways and Ministry of Road Transport & Highways. He frequently uses the Right to Information (RTI) Act for his stories, which have resulted in many impactful reports. ... Read More
