'Most RTI complaints relate to Bangalore civic body'

The Karnataka Information Commission, the state-level body to hear petitions and appeals under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, received 1,200 complaints in 2006, of which 700 complaints were disposed off.

The commission receives on an average about 20 complaints a day. An equal number are heard and 15-16 complaints are disposed off.

In 95 per cent of the complaints, the commission has been able to secure the information sought by the complainants, mostly on a consent basis. The waiting period has fallen to about 60 days.

Karnataka Chief Information Commissioner K K Misra told Business Standard that most complaints are against municipal corporations and relate to building law violations. The Greater Bangalore City Corporation tops them. There are complaints against the Mysore City Corporation too.

"In one case," citing an example, he says, "the commission asked an inspector to inspect and file a report. He gave a false report relating to land records. The commission does not show mercy to such officials. It imposed a penalty on the inspector."

In another instance, the corporation admitted that in certain cases the amount paid to the contractors for clearing silt from storm water drains were more than the volume of the drains.

He criticises the bureaucracy for being reluctant to give information to the public. "There has to be exemptions such as in matters of intelligence and defence secrets. Now everyone wants to be exempt from the act "� the police, public service commission, judiciary and even the legislatures.

The Department of Personnel even now claims that file notings are not covered by the act. 'If you take out the notings, what is left," he asked. But it is important for citizens to know how a decision has been arrived at, Misra said, complimenting the civic body for resisting such attempts.

"So far since the RIT Act came into effect a year and half ago, individual grievances alone are being redressed. No doubt, it gives some relief. But that alone is not the lofty ideal of the RIT Act," he said.

"We need a lot of support from the judiciary, because this law is conscious of the time within which the desired information has to be furnished. Quick disposal of such PILs will give a fillip to the movement," he adds.