Lok Sabha Question No. 2753 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-10
Subject: Strengthening RTI System
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Sajda Ahmed

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2753

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.03.2021)

## STRENGTHENING RTI SYSTEM

## 2753. SHRIMATI SAJDA AHMED:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has issued any directives to all departments for not disclosing personal details of RTI applicants;
- (b) the steps taken by the Government to strengthen RTI system during the last two years;
- (c) whether Government proposes to set up grievance redressal cell to serve the applicants regarding application, status and procedure; and
- (d) the  details  of  the  initiatives  taken  by  the  Government  for  awareness  and  promotion  of RTI particularly in rural areas?

## 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):  Yes. Government has from time to time issued Office Memorandums vide No. 1/31/2013-IR dated  08.01.2014,  No.1/1/2013-IR  dated  21.10.2014  &  07.10.2016  and  No.1/1/2013-IR  (Pt) dated 20.06.2017 bringing to notice of all Ministries/ Departments of Government of India that personal information of an RTI applicant should not be disclosed.

(b):  The Government has launched the RTI web portal www.rtionline.gov.in to facilitate citizens for  filing  of  online  RTI  applications  and  first  appeals  w.e.f.  21st  August,  2013.  As  on 01.03.2021, 2381 Central Public Authorities are aligned with the system. Since February, 2016, the citizens can file online RTI application and first appeal in Hindi also.

The Government has also issued an OM No.1/6/2011-IR dated 10.07.2020 in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic advising that all the Public Authorities dealing with essential services should widely  disseminate  information  regarding  the  government  relief,  rescue  and  other  welfare actions, in the media as well as on their official websites in accordance with Section 4 of the RTI Act, 2005.

(c):  The  RTI  Act  has  an  inbuilt  mechanism  to  settle  complaints/  grievances  relating  to implementation  of  the  provisions  of  the  Act.  It  empowers  the  citizens  to  lodge  complaints directly with the Information Commission. The Commission has certain powers of a civil court in the matter of inquiring into complaints. It also has powers to impose heavy penalties in case of default.

(d):    The  Government  implements  the  Centrally  Sponsored  Annual  Programme  'Improving Transparency and Accountability in Government through effective implementation of RTI Act' which includes annual expenditure on various activitieslike:-

- (i) Awareness Generation including the development of a long term communication strategy  for  RTI,  assistance  to  States  for  RTI  week  celebration;  Innovative Awareness Generation programmes.
- (ii) A Call Centre plus portal for filing RTI requests to GOI offices and a knowledge management portal as initiatives under e-governance.
- (iii) RTI  Fellowships is  granted  to  fellows  in  RTI  for  journalists,  social  activists, researchers  &  trainers  in  the  field  of  RTI.  It  is  open  to  professionals  in  the  age group of 25 to 40 years.
- (iv) Short  Term Internships are  granted  to  Undergraduates  pursuing  the  five  year integrated course in Law and pursuing Graduation in Law to conduct an analysis of RTI application in Select Public Authorities.
- (v) RTI  Week is  celebrated  every  year  during  5th  -  12th  October  for  which  State Information Commissions are provided financial assistance, for taking up various activities which  may include conducting workshops, seminars, press-meets, competition in colleges on RTI related themes, etc.

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