After CIC's order, UPSIC hearing complaints
LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh State Information Commission is keeping its
words. In accordance with the order issued by the Chief Information
Commissioner (CIC), the commission is now hearing complaints filed by
applicants. The commission had this practice of hearing the complaints
earlier but then it started sending complaints back to the government
departments against which they were made as first appeals.
This was only causing delay. The RTI activists had voiced their
complaints over it to the CIC, chief minister and also the governor.
The UPSIC in August issued an order in this regard saying that
complaints made at the commission by applicants be examined and
registered under Section 18 of the Right to Information Act, 2005, for
further action on them. The CIC has also directed information
commissioners (ICs) that notice be sent to the public information
officer (PIO) of the department, against which the complaint has been
made.
"It is being followed. We have started getting notices about dates
being fixed to hear our complaints," said RTI activist Urvashi Sharma.
In case, first appeal's authority did not respond to the appeal,
applicants had no option but to move second appeal and wait for
hearing. The CIC's order has further said if the PIO is unable to
provide the information within the specified time period then the
applicant should be informed about it. Besides, the order also says
applicant should be given a reason by the PIO for delay in providing
the information.
Commission cannot refuse to hear complaints as that is provided under
the Act, is the common opinion among activists. The complaints are
filed under Section 18 of the Right To Information (RTI) Act which
says it is the duty of the central information commission or the state
information commission to receive and inquire into a complaint from
any person. The first appeal, on the other hand, is filed when the
applicant has not received the information under specified time or is
aggrieved with the decision of the PIO. It is filed with the first
appeal's authority.
The UPSIC is now hearing all fresh complaints which are being filed.
The old ones, which were converted into first appeals, however, have
seen no reconversion into complaints.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/After-CICs-order-UPSIC-hearing-complaints/articleshow/6721327.cms#ixzz11udTmN8y
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Urvashi Sharma
RTI Helpmail( Web Based )
aishwaryaj2010@gmail.com
Mobile Rti Helpline
8081898081 ( 8 A.M. to 10 P.M. )
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