The Odisha Soochana Adhikar Abhijan (OSAA), a forum spearheading a campaign for effective implementation of the RTI Act in the State since 2005, has submitted a memorandum to the State Government seeking amendment of the Odisha RTI Rules and reforms required for the RTI regime in the State
The memorandum submitted to Information and Public Relations Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena stressed need of withdrawal of “the ultravires and illegal provisions” of the Odisha RTI Rules like compulsory application form, submission of proof of citizenship at the time submitting RTI application, prescription of appeal form and fee. Though the BPl people are not required to pay any kind of fee under the RTI Act, the State Government is collecting fees for information from them which is illegal, it said.
“Though High Court has given direction to provide information free of cost to BPl beneficiaries, it is yet to be undertaken properly. The Government should issue a circular in this regard immediately,” said the memorandum.
The memorandum also said that although eight years have elapsed after implementation of RTI in the State, the nodal I& PR Department has not developed guidelines nor published any booklets for public awareness on RTI.
The memorandum further suggested for preparation of a comprehensive guideline of RTI and awareness programme by the Government, initiatives for publishing and disseminating suo moto disclosure of information in Odia across the State and developing a system for online application for information with issuing instruction for its proper use, developing robust RTI portal for the offices of Governor and Assembly Speaker.