Govt depts put RTI responses online, ensures anynomity of applicants

DoPT issued directions to all central government departments to desist from posting personal details of applicants

All central government departments have been asked not to post the personal details of RTI applicants while publishing the copies of their applications and their responses on their websites on October 7.

Authorities gave directions barring offices from posting applicants' personal details saying, "they do not serve any public interest".

According to existing norms, all public authorities shall proactively disclose RTI applications and appeals received and their responses on their official websites. The web portals are to be maintained by the respective authorities and would have keywords-enabled search facility.

The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) issued clear directions to ensure anonymity of applicants notifying that 

personal details would include name, designation, address, e-mail id and contact numbers.

The Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, which was enacted by the UPA government, empowers a citizen to seek a time-bound reply on information related to governance.