‘Transparency key to stop misuse of RTI Act’

 

 

“Transparency in furnishing information under Right To Information (RTI) Act in itself is key to prevent blackmailing of Government officials,” said Rahul Pande, Chief Information Commissioner, Maharashtra. “The more open one is in functioning, the lesser chance there is of being involved in any controversy or falling prey to foul tactics of blackmailers,” added Pande. Pande’s straight-forward approach on RTI Act came during maiden an interaction with ‘The Hitavada’ on Friday after taking charge as Maharashtra’s Chief Information Commissioner. Pande was in city for a review meeting with the State Information Commissioners of all benches. It was held in on-line mode from Nagpur Bench of State Information Commission on Friday. Pande referred to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis who, in his guiding principle given to the administration, instructed that they should disclose maximum information proactively.

 

This is known as ‘Suo motu disclosure’, as per Section 4 (1) (b) of the RTI Act. Accordingly, he will be instructing all public authorities to display all information on their websites, particularly the information they have furnished in reply to any RTI application, informed the State’s Chief Information Commissioner. “This would eliminate any misuse of information as secrecy or fear only emboldens blackmailers to target the officials,” he felt. Before being appointed as Maharashtra’s Chief Information Commissioner, Rahul Pande worked as State Information Commissioner at Nagpur Bench of State Information Commission from 2021. In his stint, Pande concentrated on bringing down the pending case load of the bench, reducing it to almost zero during the three-year period.

 

He was also subsequently given the additional charge of Amravati and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar benches, where his work was equally commendable. He was the City Editor of ‘The Hitavada’ before becoming the State Information Commissioner. Pande disagreed with the allegations that the RTI Act had become a weapon in hands of few a unscrupulous persons, as they use the same to blackmail Government officials. He said, “Honest people have no reason to be scared of anyone. Blackmailers can only scare those who have done something wrong and have been caught on the wrong foot.” He also stated that the allegations of misuse of the Act are not backed by any statistics. “There is no data available that can back the allegations of misuse of the Act. If someone is being harassed by misuse of information achieved through RTI application, they have option of reporting it to police or the Information Commission. But, it has happened on rare occasions.” He also said that those who alleges misuse of the Act, have seldom filed for information under the RTI Act. The State’s Chief Information Commissioner wants increase in the applications under RTI act. “The RTI Act is a revolutionary Act that allows citizens to hold officials accountable for their actions by acting as watchdog to keep check Government functioning, spending, and Government works . The Act should be used by more and more citizens, including mainstream media more rigorously,” said Pande.