RTI activists demand online application

SHILLONG: Many activists in the State who have unearthed several scams using the Right to Information (RTI) tool feel that the government should make the process online along with the usual practice of submitting RTIs before the Public Information Officer.
CSWO president Agnes Kharshiing said many times, they are not given complete information and RTI applicants have to run from one government office to the other to file RTI.
“Sometimes the PIOs say the application fee has to be paid through challan but as per the Act, the application fee has to be paid in cash,” she said, adding that the online process, besides the existing system, would be helpful.
In many instances, the Public Information Officer refuses to receive the RTI application and asks applicants to go to different offices for the same.
RTI activist Angela Rangad also narrated similar experience and said sometimes applicants face problems in filing RTI.
The Right to Information Act, 2005, mandates timely response to citizens’ requests for government information  and the tool has been effectively used by NGOs and individuals in Meghalaya to bring several shortcomings and scams in the public domain.