While the Naveen Patnaik Government claims that it follows the 5T model to improve governance in Odisha, the reality is something different, alleged Member Transparency International India Biswajit Mohanty.
The double speak of the Government is evident from the outcome of an RTI application dated 4.6.2021 filed with the General Administration and Public Grievance (GA and PG) Department, said Mohanty.
Mohanty further told that he had sought photocopies of file notesheets regarding transfer and posting of all IAS officers for transfer decisions approved by the Chief Minister during the period from 1.1.2020 to 31.5.2021 and photocopy of file notesheets containing approval of Chief Minister or any other Minister for allowing any IAS officer to continue beyond tenure of 3 years during the above period.
As per the GA & PG Department Transfer and Posting guidelines of 1991, the Government servants are ordinarily transferred after 3 years service.
Continuance beyond 3 years has to be justified by official orders in the file notesheet which need to be approved by the Minister for Class-I officers
The PIO rejected the application citing section 7(9) of the RTI Act, 2005 as providing it would disproportionately divert resources of the public authority. At the same time he did not invite the applicant to the office to inspect the requisite official records which contained the desired information thereby obstructing the delivery of information.
"When the applicant challenged this in a First Appeal on 2.8.2021, a new ground was used to deny information by claiming that the information is not specific nor having personal relevance though the PIO had not made any such claim initially.
The First Appellate Authority (FAA) also claimed it would lead to invasion of privacy of IAS officers. At the same time he also held that it is held in electronic form in OSWAS and hence cannot be denied u/s 7(9). But in his subsequent observations he contradicted himself by using irrelevant and illegal grounds to deny information without citing any exemption sub clause of section 8 of the RTI ,Act,2005," Mohanty told.
One of the key objectives of 5T model is transparency which is being sabotaged by officials of the State Government even when applicants seek information about transfers and posting under the RTI Act,2005. 5T model is clearly not being followed in letter and spirit by the bureaucracy despite claims to the contrary by the Chief Minister, alleged Mohanty.