Right to Information applications remain pending in Telangana

Though officials are tight-lipped on the number of pending applications, it is learnt that a considerable number of applications are kept pending for processing

Hyderabad: The Congress Government‘s claims of delivering governance transparently and accountability is coming under the scanner with many Right to Information (RTI) applications remaining pending in different departments.

Though officials are tight-lipped on the number of pending applications, it is learnt that a considerable number of applications are kept pending for processing.

The Information Technology Electronics and Communications department has directed all the departments to clear the pending applications. The Head of Department and District Collectors have been instructed to ensure timely verification and disposal of all RTI applications received through the online portal.

“It has been observed that a number of applications are still pending action. Instruct the designated Public Information Officer and other concerned officials to regularly access the RTI portal, promptly review and process pending applications,” the IT department said in a circular to all departments. It also wanted the departments to give replies to the applications within the prescribed time.

This was being done as per the Supreme Court directions to provide RTI services through electronic mode. The RTI applications are being submitted and registered via online portal developed for the purpose.

Apart from the inordinate delay in processing the RTI applications, complaints are being lodged by different sections over the State Government’s failure to upload Government Orders online.

Last month, the Forum for Good Governance had appealed to the Chief Secretary on the need to upload the Government Orders on the State government website.

At present, the Government website contains all routine GOs like sanction of leave for government servants etc. If all the GOs issued by the government were uploaded in the government website, civil societies, media and citizens would be saved from the bothering of filing RTI applications or running around the concerned sections of Secretariat to obtain copies of GOs, Forum for Good Governance president Padmanabha Reddy had urged to the Chief Secretary.

Meanwhile, the State Government appointed G Chandrashekhar Reddy as the State Chief Information Commissioner after approval from the Raj Bhavan. There were reports that the State Government had named eight individuals, including CPRO to the Chief Minister, B Ayodhya Reddy, for posts of Information Commissioners and the same was sent to the Raj Bhavan for approval. However, these appointments are still pending, triggering apprehensions.