RTI system not in order in Chhattisgarh

Govt has asked concerned department secretary to ensure implementation of act and monitor it

Asserting that the Right to Information (RTI) act is not being implemented effectively in Chhattisgarh, the state government has issued 15-point directives to plug the loopholes.

“It has being brought to the notice of the state government that the earlier circular (regarding strict implementation of RTI act) is not been followed effectively,” the circular issued by the general administration department (GAD) said. Hence, the directives are re-circulated to nominate the public information officer and strictly implement the act, it added.

The circular was issued to the heads of the different department of the state government besides the secretaries, district collectors and chief executive officer of district panchayats. The department secretary has been asked to ensure the implementation of the act and monitor it.

The officials designated to deal with the RTI section has been directed to study the clauses in the act besides the norms added by the state government.

Under the new guidelines issues, only secretary level official will be authorised to make correspondence with the Chhattisgarh State Information Commissioner. “No official below the rank of secretary will make any correspondence with the commission,” the fresh circular issued by the GAD said.

The department secretaries have been instructed to conduct meeting during the visit of the district under their command and review the implementation of the RTI act. The officials have been asked to regularly hold the review meeting.

The fresh circular of the state government has also asked the departments to ensure sufficient budget allocation for the RTI section besides pointing out the vacant posts that have been creating hurdle to ensure information to the people.