SHILLONG: With the RTI movement completing 10 years of its existence, Meghalaya Chief Information Commissioner C.D. Kynjing has stressed the need for a corrupt-free State.
In an interview with The Shillong Times, Kynjing on Tuesday said there was a lot of mistrust between the lay people who file queries under the RTI Act and public authorities who handle such queries, but added that it was the duty of every educated person to be involved in making the state corruption free.
Kynjing said RTI was a tool to help the people to bring about an assurance of transparency in the public administration system.
“I appeal to the civil society and the media to help the people in knowing and exercising their rights. Before the people exercise their rights, they must be aware of their rights,” he added.
According to Kynjing, the RTI Act is only 10 years old and it is hard to compare this Act with other Acts.
Asked about the number of RTI applications, the Chief Information Commissioner said it is noteworthy that the number of applicants is increasing.
However, he added that the enthusiasm on the part of the applicants in terms of filing more applications is a challenge posed to the Commission.
He also wanted the citizens to understand the implication of this right as this can bring about transparency in administration.
The official also maintained that as far as conducting awareness programmes is concerned, the Commission does not have the financial resources.
He however, quoted Section 26 of the RTI act which said “The appropriate Government may, to the extent of availability of financial resources develop and organise educational programmes to advance the understanding of the public, in particular of disadvantaged communities as to how to exercise the rights contemplated under this Act; encourage public authorities to participate in the development and organization of programmes and to undertake such programmes themselves.”
“But we do go over and brief people about the RTI Act,” he added.
When questioned about reports that some RTI queries were not being addressed seriously by certain officers, Kynjing said that if there are such cases, the applicants will have to come to the Commission so that necessary action can be taken against such officers. “Even if their applications are rejected they must inform the Commission,” he added.
According to Kynjing, the RTI Act authorizes any one to file queries on any matter, but after receiving the replies to their queries, if they are not satisfied, the concerned applicant can file their appeals as envisaged under Section 19 of the RTI Act and accordingly penalties will be imposed if the officers do not provide replies in time.
On the issue of Border Security Force (BSF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBP), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and other Central forces including the Army not coming under the RTI scanner, the official said, “As far as the RTI Act is concerned, it deals with public information, and since they fall under the jurisdiction of the Central government, issues related to them goes to the Centre.”
