Lok Sabha Question No. 2559 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-04
Subject: Applications under RTI
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Faizal P.P. Mohammed

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2559

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.12.2019)

## APPLICATIONS UNDER RTI

## 2559. SHRI MOHAMMED FAIZAL P.P.:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether thousands of applications under the Right to Information Act (RTI) are pending across the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, State/ UT-wise including Lakshadweep;
- (c) whether Government has made any assessment of the reasons for delay in the disposal of pending cases;
- (d) if so, the outcome thereof and the remedial measures taken/being taken therefor;
- (e) whether online applications could also be made under the RTI Act; and
- (f) if so, the details of procedures in this regard and the assistance provided to the States and UTs for the purpose?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

(a) & (b):    No data is maintained in respect of State Information Commissions. As far as Central Information  Commission  is  concerned,  33,487  number  of  second  appeals/  complaints  are pending as on 28.11.2019.

(c) & (d):   The Government has, taken several steps like capacity building through training and issue  of  guidelines  for  Public  Information  Officers  and  First  Appellate  Authorities,  so  as  to enable them to supply information/dispose of first appeal effectively, resulting into less number of appeals to the Information Commission. The Government apart from a number of clarificatory orders  has  also  issued  OM  No.  1/18/2007-IR  dated  21st  September,  2007,  1/6/2011-IR  dated 15th  April,  2013  and  1/6/2011-IR  dated  7 th November  2019  impressing  upon  the  public authorities to disclose maximum information proactively so that citizens need not resort to filing of  RTI  applications  to  access  information  available  with  the  public  authorities.    The  Central Information  Commission  has  been  granted  autonomy  in  recruitment  of  staff.  Further,  Chief Information Commissioner and 4 Information Commissioners have been appointed in the Central Information Commission in January 2019.

(e) & (f):   Yes sir. Government of India has started an RTI online web portal whereby Right to Information (RTI) applications can be filed online by Indian citizens, including those who are living abroad.   The detailed procedure in filing of on-line RTI application is as under:

An Indian citizen can file RTI application online through RTI online web-portal, having url www.rtionline.gov.in.  The prescribed fee for RTI application can also be paid online through a payment gateway of State Bank of India by way of internet banking of State Bank of India and its associate banks and by using Rupay card, debit/credit cards of Master/Visa.  This facility at present is available for 2271 Public authorities of Government of India.

All  the  States  have  been  requested  vide  this  Department's  letter  dated  3rd  December, 2013 to explore the feasibility of implementing online RTI in their respective States. National Informatics Centre (NIC) has been requested to provide technical support such as software and source code to the State Governments who desire to replicate the web portal for online filing of RTI applications at state level.

*****