SHILLONG: RTI activists and CSWO president, Agnes Kharshiing has expressed doubt over the new rule in which RTI applications can be filed orally.
Kharshiing pointed out that the activists face problem though RTI has helped a lot in bringing out corruption while sometimes it was being misused.
There are some offices that will not accept cash and will pester the RTI seekers to get Challan done or a demand draft.
Referring to rural areas, she said, “I doubt if they get to meet the PIO because they have to spell it out to the PIO, they will be pushed from one table to another.”
She, however, said that awareness needs to be created as RTI should have been put in public domain as she maintained that if governance was clean there will no need of RTI.
“Government should bring a notice to every department that they can accept it orally,” she said.
Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh informed on Thursday that applications under Right to Information (RTI) Act can be filed orally.
