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SC seeks reply from Centre on RTI portals.
Why in news?
- The SC gave the Centre and 25 states a month’s time to respond to a writ petition seeking a direction to establish RTI portals across all states to enable citizens, especially those living abroad, to file RTI applications online.
More in news
- Petition filed by: Pravasi Legal Cell- an NGO
- Inside the Petition
(1) Online RTI portal established by Central govt.
(a) Indian citizen including Non-Resident Indians(NRI’s) can apply for information under the RTI Act with desired Ministry or Department.
(b) Applicants can also pay requisite fee through online payment in this portal and submit RTI application.
(2) Portal Feasibility
(1) Centre had also requested various State govts. to explore feasibility of implementing online RTI portals.
(2) Offered technical support through National Informatics Centre (NIC) to the States.
(3) Only Maharashtra and Delhi have established their respective online portals for obtaining information from the departments of their respective governments.
(3) Physical Application
(a) Person seeking information under RTI Act, 2005 from any state are compelled to make physical application, which is difficult for NRI’s.
(4) Advantage of Online Portals
(a) Speedy dissemination of information, for NRI’s as well.
(b) Transparency in administration which is the actual aim of RTI Laws.
(5) Section 7(1) of the RTI Act, 2005
(a) Provides for disclosure of information if it concerns lige and liberty of a person.
(b) Hence such dissemination of the information can be easily sought through an online application
Sources
The Hindu