Suchetan Swaroop, Chief Information Commissioner of the State, has spoken against the efforts to dilute the Right to Information Act on the pretext of it being misused.
“Diluting the RTI Act saying it is being misused by some persons is not acceptable,” he said at an interaction with officials about the status of its implementation and usage in the district. “Instead, it should be strengthened. A strong RTI Act will contribute towards nation building,” he said.
It is a strong tool in the hands of the public as it strives to bring in transparency and accountability among people in power, he said.
He advised the officials to ensure complete computerisation of all office records as it would facilitate quick replies.
Mr. Swaroop clarified doubts on some recent amendments to the Act. He said that applicants should limit their requests to 150 words, and seek information only on one subject or issue or file, in one application.
Public information officers can transfer the applications to relevant sections if the information sought was not concerned to them. There is no need for anyone officer to collect information from various officers to be supplied to applicants. Applicants should be asked to collect information from elsewhere, he said.
Mr. Swaroop said the cost of collecting information and time to be taken should be mentioned in the acknowledgement.