Poor implementation of penal orders reduces effectiveness of RTI - SIC
8 Aug, 2013
The Maharashtra State Information Commission has blamed poor implementation machinery for the ineffectiveness of Right to Information (RTI) Act in the state. The seventh annual report of the Information Commission tabled in the state Legislative Assembly as per Section 25 of RTI Act, gave details of the amount of fine levied and the action taken by the information commissioners against public information officers and first appellate authorities in various government offices.
The report stated that there is no proper mechanism to monitor the implementation of orders concerning fines and penal actions against erring information officials. As per the data in the report, 343 orders were passed in 2012 imposing a total fine of Rs. 32 lakh. Also, SICs had ordered disciplinary action against officials in 443 cases but the orders were not carried out.
However, activists have also blamed the SIC for this stating that the SICs have powers to compel the government to implement their orders under Section 18 of RTI Act.