BeyondHeadlines News Desk
Nine years after introduction of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, Gujarat is still lagging behind in its implementation, alleged rights activists here on Saturday.
“RTI Act will complete nine years on October 12, 2014. As per Section 27 of this Act, the state governments are given powers to frame rules for implementation of the Act,” activists from a city-based NGO ‘Mahiti Adhikar Gujarat Pahel’ (MAGP) said in a press statement.
“Though, Gujarat has made the best rules in RTI Act, it has been lagging behind in the implementation of the Act and there is a lot to be done in its implementation,” MAGP office-bearers Pankti Jog and Harinesh Pandya alleged.
MAGP alleged pendecy in hearing of RTI appeals, non-appointment of information commissioners in fair numbers, lack of “pro-active disclosure” initiatives in government offices and denying of information to the applicant.
“As per Section 15(2)(b), state government can appoint maximum ten information commissioners in state. But the Gujarat government has not appointed the information commissioners in sufficient numbers, despite the Gujarat High Court’s directions on the issue,” the statement said. (Courtesy: PTI)
