HYDERABAD: The Andhra Pradesh Information Commission is studying the Bihar model to allow people to seek information on the telephone under the Right to Information Act. Introduction of this facility will be useful to rural people who will find it easy as urban citizens are familiar with social networks like the Facebook and Twitter.
Chief information commissioner Jannat Husain told Express on Friday: “I will be visiting Bihar next month to attend an RTI-related programme. There I will study the telephonic RTI application method."
The telephonic RTI application enables illiterate people from rural areas, who do not know how to file an RTI application, to file one by simply conveying their requests on the phone.
The government officer concerned will furnish the required information within the stipulated time.
“Earlier there were problems concerning the application fee of Rs 10. Now, since the BSNL is charging the applicant at the time of registration of RTI application, that problem has been sorted out,” Husain said.
With a view to making more and more urban youth seek information for public good, Husain hinted that the commission would adopt the social network. “The proposal was discussed a month ago and an engineer with us has started work on it. It will be launched soon,” he said.
The commission is in talks with district collectors to conduct seminars and talks at colleges across the state to inculcate awareness among college youth on the RTI and its benefits.
YPR Krishna of ITMAD, a forum for RTI applicants, has welcomed the move, saying, “This is an excellent initiative. RTI is a tool designed for the masses but has not reached them yet. Such efficient use of technology, especially telephone service for rural population, will serve the purpose.”
On Sekhar Babu's resignation as APIC secretary, which will come into effect at the end of this month, Husain thinks that law secretary Mohan Krishnaiah will hold the post of APIC secretary temporarily in case no new appointment is made to replace Sekhar Babu.