By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 22 Aug: The Uttarakhand Information Commission held a press conference, here, today. Chief Information Commissioner (in charge) Vipin Chandra Sharma shared that Public Information Officers and First Appellate Officers will be encouraged to better implement the Right to Information Act in the state.
He added that, on the occasion of RTI Day on 12 October, the State Information Commission will also honour five Public Information Officers who have managed better disposal of RTI applications and also three appellate officers for the same reason. Along with this, a state level debate competition and discussion programme will also be organised.
Sharma added that regarding information about the future plans and programmes of the Information Commission to deal with the practical difficulties in disposing of the public’s RTI applications and to provide information about the provisions of the Act, two workshops will be organised every month department-wise at the Commission Headquarters. Along with this, awareness programmes will also be organised by the Commission through law colleges and higher education institutions to increase awareness in the public about the Right to Information and to make good use of it in public interest.
Sharma disclosed that between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024, a total of 6,637 cases were heard by the Commission and, of these, 3,960 cases were disposed of, while as on 31 July 2024, a total of 951 cases are still pending in the Commission. Along with this, from the establishment of the Information Commission to June 30, 2024, a total amount of Rs 2.756 crores has been imposed upon defaulting officials as penalty. Along with this, compensation of Rs 5.72 lakhs has also been given to the RTI applicants in 123 cases.
