Mumbai: RTI activists meet chief secretary, seek implementation of GR

  • | Tuesday | 23rd April, 2019

Several city-based RTI activists have sought implementation of GR and an official communication to all departments by the chief secretary for smoother implementation of RTI. Unable to meet the chief minister, the activist met chief secretary UPS Madan and sought his intervention. The activist issued a press statement on Monday stating that a signature of over 1,600 RTI applicants and activists was given to the chief secretary. The GR which was recently issued asks various public authorities to keep two hours of every Monday open for RTI inspections. The GR was issued to reduce the number of RTI applications being filed while simultaneously being transparent in the government functioning.

Several city-based RTI activists have sought implementation of GR and an official communication to all departments by the chief secretary for smoother implementation of RTI. Unable to meet the chief minister, the activist met chief secretary UPS Madan and sought his intervention. The activist issued a press statement on Monday stating that a signature of over 1,600 RTI applicants and activists was given to the chief secretary. The GR which was recently issued asks various public authorities to keep two hours of every Monday open for RTI inspections. If the Monday is a holiday, then the next day should be open for RTI inspection. The GR was issued to reduce the number of RTI applications being filed while simultaneously being transparent in the government functioning. The other official circular is of the general administration department (GAD) which asks authorities to implement a circular of Department of Personnel and Training, the nodal office at the central government for implementing RTI Act. The circular states that RTI applications and replies should be uploaded online. "He did not seem to know about the two issues. We have given the letter and asked that the GRs be implemented," said Shailesh Gandhi, former central information commissioner. He added, "In our letter to chief minister, we have pointed out the growing illegal and anti-democratic practice in many government and municipal bodies of denigrating and abusing RTI users."Despite repeated attempts, Madan did not respond to SMS sent by DNA.

If You Like This Story, Support NYOOOZ

NYOOOZ SUPPORTER

NYOOOZ FRIEND

Your support to NYOOOZ will help us to continue create and publish news for and from smaller cities, which also need equal voice as much as citizens living in bigger cities have through mainstream media organizations.


Stay updated with all the Mumbai Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.

Related Articles