“The purpose of RTI is to bring in transparency in government departments . The number of applications seeking information points at harassment from government officials and this has to change,” said Shalini Rajneesh, Secretary of the Department of Personal and Administrative Reforms.
She was speaking at the inaugural function of a week-long regional workshop on ‘Improving Transparency and Accountability in Government through Effective Implementation of RTI Act-2005’, that is progress in the city.
The workshop is being held as part of the RTI Week that is being observed from October 5.
The distribution of handbooks containing 4 1B section of the RTI Act was discussed at the event. “The handbook has not reached many government employees,” said Y G Muralidharan, resource person and Director, Consumer Rights Education and Awareness Trust.
Associate professor at National Law School and University of India, Sairam Bhat said it is the duty of government officials to give information on public works. “Otherwise, the public will go for an appeal under sections 18, 19 and 20 of the Act and later file a complaint with the Karnataka Information Commission, which is equivalent to a civil court,” he added.