In an effort to bring about transparency and accountability in the implementation of the Government schemes, Maharashtra’s Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) Ratnakar Gaikwad has directed all public authorities in the State to upload “complete information” about all welfare schemes being implemented by various departments on their respective websites before April 30, 2017.
Acting on a complaint filed by former CIC and leading Right to Information (RTI) activist Shailesh Gandhi under Section 18 (1) (f) of the RTI Act, the State CIC directed the State Chief Secretary to ensure that “complete information” of all welfare schemes being implemented by the various Governments was uploaded on their websites by April 30. Gaikwad, who invoked powers vested with him under section 19 (8) (a) of RTI Act to issue a directive to the Maharashtra gove3rnment, stated in his order: “Section 4 (1) (b) of Right to Information Act, 2005 is the heart and soul of the RTI Act, which makes it mandatory to all public authorities to disclose information about 17 aspects of public authorities which, inter alia, covers schemes implemented by public authorities, and list of beneficiaries to be displayed on the websites of respective public authority”.
“So also Section 4(1)(c)(d) mandates that all decisions, Administrative/Quasi-Judicial, taken by public authorities, and material/facts based on which such decisions are taken, must be suo motu be communicated to the affected persons forthwith by public authorities. All welfare schemes implemented by the Government are obviously covered under the above provisions of RTI Act. But, unfortunately, no department yet has implemented in letter and spirit above provisions, with the result there is hardly any transparency and accountability in the implementation of various welfare schemes implemented by the Government,” the SCIC stated.
“Commission views this lapse on the part of the public authorities with serious concern. It is sad that after a lapse of more than 11 years since RTI Act has come to force, public authorities have shown a lackadaisical attitude towards proactive disclosures as laid down under Section 4 of the Act,” Gaikwad stated in his March 25, 2017 order. Gandhi had had moved the CIC after Asha Krishnan of NGO Haqdarshak met him to discuss how the organisation had been obtaining information about welfare schemes using RTI and trying to present it in a format which would be easily understood by everyone.
“It occurred to me that this is information which should be displayed suo moto by all government departments under Section 4, and hence filed a complaint under Section 18 (1) (f) of the RTI Act. Showing great promptness and sensitivity to public cause, empathy to the disadvantaged and understanding of the law, Gaikwad issued an appropriate order immediately directing all departments to display the information in the suggested format,” the former CIC and RTI activist said.
“This order also requires that details of all applications received must be displayed and the date of their acceptance or rejection with reasons must be displayed. This could help to reduce corruption in these schemes,” Gandhi said. “We have a great order from a responsive commission and must now ensure and enforce its implementation. It would be worthwhile for NGOs and RTI activists other States to try and obtain similar orders,” the former CIC added.