On the appeal of a non-government organisation (NGO), Governor Ram Naik asked the State Government to mull over the pattern adopted by Maharastra Government so that, a State Information Commissioner (SIC) chould be posted in each divisional headquarters. Naik dispatched a letter to Administrative Reforms department directing to look into the suggestions and submit a report for necessary action.
Reports said that an NGO - Jagriti Welfare Society, wrote to the Governor suggesting that that to facilitate the RTI to every citizen, the UP government should follow Maharastra government where one SIC is posted in every divisional headquarter of the state.
The NGO said that presently 10 posts of SIC and one of Chief SIC was sanctioned in UP and out of this, eight SIC and one Chief SIC were presently posted but they sit in lucknow.
The NGO reasoned that since all top officials sit in the state capital so activists and general public seeking RTI replies have to come to lucknow to pursue appeals against delay with Information Commissioners.
The NGO said that if like Maharastra, SICs were posted at divisional headquarters, then making appeal under the RTI would become easier and money and time of government officers could also be saved. Under the present set-up, Information Officers of various departments claim Traveli and Dearness Allowance for coming to lucknow and attend appeals.
Sources said that Governor Ram Naik after going through the request wrote to the state government to look whether the Maharastra model was feasible in Uttar Pradesh or not.