UP RTI Act Implementation Described as 'Pathetic' by State Information Commissioner
State Information Commissioner Mohammad Nadim on Monday delivered a scathing assessment of the Right to Information (RTI) Act's implementation in Uttar Pradesh, labeling it as "pathetic" during a press conference in Pilibhit. He revealed that nearly 75% of RTI replies are issued only after direct intervention by the State Information Commission, highlighting systemic failures in the transparency mechanism.
Serious Gaps in PIO Functioning and Legal Knowledge
Commissioner Nadim flagged serious deficiencies in the functioning of public information officers (PIOs) across the state. He noted that many PIOs lack fundamental legal understanding, including confusion between basic concepts such as the difference between an appeal and a complaint, and unfamiliarity with the role of deemed PIOs. Additionally, several officers were unaware of amendments made to the RTI Act in 2019, indicating a widespread gap in the knowledge required to uphold transparency laws effectively.
Case Pendency and Administrative Shortcomings
Despite the disposal of approximately 50,000 RTI cases, a significant pendency of over 20,000 cases remains, according to Nadim. In Pilibhit district alone, there are 58 pending RTI cases, with concerned PIOs failing to provide satisfactory explanations for the delays. During a review exercise for pending cases, many PIOs attended without bringing relevant files and documents, which severely hampered the review process and underscored administrative negligence.
Penalties and Transparency Issues
So far, 143 PIOs in Pilibhit have been penalized for failing to provide information on time, reflecting ongoing accountability issues. Nadim also criticized many government department websites for lacking adequate information that should have been disclosed suo motu (on their own initiative). He emphasized that effective implementation of the RTI Act requires:
- Complete transparency in administrative processes
- Enhanced accountability mechanisms for PIOs
- A firm commitment from officers to provide information promptly
Urgent Need for Training and Reform
The commissioner underlined an urgent need for better training and accountability within Uttar Pradesh's administrative framework to ensure the RTI Act serves its intended purpose of promoting transparency and citizen empowerment. He called for comprehensive reforms to address the knowledge gaps and procedural lapses that currently hinder the act's effectiveness across the state.
