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RTI implementation in India today: Government’s Assessment

RTI implementation in India today: Government’s Assessment. S. K. Sarkar Department of Personnel and Training October 12, 2009 New Delhi. RTI: Achievements so far. 1. 2. 3. 4. Objective of the Independent Study. Project Background.

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RTI implementation in India today: Government’s Assessment

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  1. RTI implementation in India today: Government’s Assessment S. K. Sarkar Department of Personnel and Training October 12, 2009 New Delhi

  2. RTI: Achievements so far 1 2 3 4

  3. Objective of the Independent Study Project Background • “To proactively identify the factors constraining the implementation of RTI Act and suggest remedial measures in order to ensure that the intended benefits of the act are delivered to the citizens”

  4. Survey Methodology • Sample Survey in 5 States selected on the basis of literacy, population, income, geographical spread etc. (Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Maharashtra, Assam) • 6 Districts in each of the States selected through Systematic Random Sampling Technique 3. Sample Size decided on the basis of 95% confidence level: • Awareness Survey : ~5000 • Information Seeker : ~2000 • Information Provider : 288

  5. RTI study: Key Observations RTI Awareness 1 • Only 13% of the rural population and 33% in urban population are aware of RTI Act • Only 12% of the women and 26% of men were aware of RTI Act • The awareness of the citizens on their rights as an appellant under RTI, is minimal.

  6. RTI study: Key Observations Convenience of Filing Requests 2 • More than 26% of the citizens had to pay more than 3 visits to submit applications and 47% said no sign boards were present to help them with the process. • Lack of an updated list of PIOs • Need for citizen friendly and standardized modes of payment • Inadequate help was provided to applicants/ non friendly attitude of PIOs • More that 75% of citizens were dissatisfied with the quality of information provided

  7. RTI study: Key Observations Efficiencies at Information Commission 3 Large pendency of cases with a wait time of 4-12 months in most of the States • Limited cases of penalties imposed on PIOs (Penalty imposed was 1.7 % of the cases decided in 2007) as per Section 20(1). 47% of the citizens did not receive replies to their RTI application with 30 days

  8. RTI study: Key Observations Enhanced accountability and clarity in role at Government level 4 • A variance in role/ ownership of SIC and Nodal Department in implementation of the Act • Inadequate planning at a Public Authority level • Inadequate processes, infrastructure or resources with the Information Commission

  9. Key Observations and Recommendations RTI study: Key Observations Common Infrastructure & Capacity Building 5 • Record Management • More than 38% of PIOs stated ineffective record management system for delay in processing 43% of the PIOs were not aware of the record management guidelines • Training/Knowledge • 45% of PIOs mentioned that they had not been provided training in RTI Training is limited to the provision of the RTI Act, key aspects related to public dealing, motivation, technology, service levels, etc are not addressed • Usage of Information technology • Lack of software application capturing details mentioned in Section 25(3) Lack of software application to improve efficiency at the Information Commission

  10. Recommendations 1 RTI Awareness • Establishment of RTI as a “Brand” through a mass awareness campaign • To take care of linguistic and local relevance, recommended both at Centre and State levels • Displays at Information Commissions and PA for information to citizens’ on their RTI rights • Awareness initiatives at central and state levels

  11. Recommendations Improving Convenience in Filing Requests 2 CSCs to be nominated as APIOs and act as application collectors • State Governments to accord APIO status to Post offices • Creation of RTI Call centers and RTI Portal to accept RTI applications • Integration of RTI with e-district scheme wherein e-district kiosks can act as APIOs • Defining common minimum payment channels (accessible remotely) and introducing new channels like RTI envelopes and Electronic Payment Gateway

  12. Recommendations Improving Efficiencies at Information Commission 3 • -Hearings through Video Conferencing • Opening more offices of the Information Commissions in the states (12(7), 15(7)) • Software application for managing the administration, the hearing process and passing of orders to improve the process efficiency • Passing orders based on the merit of the case • Usage of standard templates for disposition of case • Induction period for new Information Commissioners

  13. Recommendations Enhanced accountability and clarity in role at Government level 4 Create an RTI Implementation Cell headed by a senior Officer at the State and Central level. Create Public Authority’s RTI Cell (PARTI Cell) at Public Authority level Create Knowledge Resource Centre which will be responsible for Knowledge Management

  14. Recommendations 5 Common Infrastructure & Capacity Building Record Management Re-organization of record management system to promote information management. A separate study has been proposed to improve the current record management guidelines and make them “RTI friendly” • Capacity building for Training/Knowledge Management Each Public Authority to formulate a RTI Ready Plan • Improve performance levels of PIOs and AAs Allocation of 1% of plan budget for carrying out the changes.

  15. Recommendations Institutionalising Third Party Audit 6 Institutionalize annual third party audits to monitor the performance of Public Authorities with regards to RTI Act implementation SIC websites should have a feedback mechanism through which citizens can report non compliance by individual Public Authorities

  16. Government’s response 1 Capacity Building Over 90,000 stakeholders trained by various ATIs under the GOI-UNDP ‘Capacity Building for Access to Information’. . Guides published for various stakeholders by DoPT in Hindi & English and in Regional languages by ATIs. A Centrally Sponsored Scheme on “Strengthening, Capacity Building and Awareness Generation” launched in November 2008

  17. Government’s response 3 Awareness Generation Comprehensive RTI Portal (www.rti.gov.in) launched in August 2009 Publicity Campaigns being telecast and broadcast on TV and Radio. Posters displayed in 35,000 Post offices in Rural India Online Certificate Course on RTI launched in. It is targeted at all stakeholders and is free of cost to all citizens.

  18. Government’s response 4 Stakeholder Analysis & Systemic Evaluation Focused group Discussions held with various stakeholders An Independent Study being commissioned to make proactive disclosures under the Act more effective

  19. Government’s response 5 Agenda Ahead Legislative initiatives to strengthen RTI Act Implementation of recommendations of various studies Capacity building, awareness generation Strengthening the Information Commissions IT interventions/ E- Governance on RTI.

  20. Venue for Consultation of Chief Information Commissioners and Information Commissioners scheduled for 14th October 2009 at Vigyan Bhawan shifted to Auditorium, Delhi Sectt at 10.00 am Registration starts at 9.30am

  21. Thank You

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