Tamil Nadu - Thanjavur   

Information Commission clears 649 petitions

Special Correspondent

Out of 1,095 received from people: S. Ramakrishnan

INFORMING PEOPLE: R. Rathinasamy, Chief Information Commissioner, S. Ramakrishan and G. Ramakrishan, Information Commissioners, addressing a meeting to review the implementation of Right to Information Act in Thanjavur on Friday. — Photo: M. S rinath

Thanjavur: The State Information Commission has so far disposed of 649 petitions out of 1,095 received from people across the State seeking the commission's intervention in getting relevant information from Government Departments under the Right to Information Act, said S. Ramakrishnan, State Chief Information Commissioner here on Friday.

He told presspersons that a general information officer has been posted in each department for providing information to the people. The officer was

required to provide the information within 30 days failing which the petitioner could approach district administration or the next higher official in the same department. Still if the petitioner failed to get the information in 30 days, final appeal could be made to the State Commission seeking its intervention.

Out of the 1,095 petitions, 347 petitions did not come under the purview of the Act. Twenty one petitions were sent to Central Information Commission while 22 were sent by people without waiting for the minimum period. Stating that solutions had been provided to 649 petitions, he said 56 petitions were under enquiry.

Mr.Ramakrishnan alongwith two other Information Commissioners R. Rethinasamy and G. Ramakrishnan reviewed the implementation of the Act in Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Pudukottai districts here. Collectors C.Vijayaraj Kumar, (Thanjavur), Tenkasi S. Jawahar, (Nagapattinam), Shambu Kallolikar (Tiruvarur) and Chiru (Pudukottai) participated in the meeting.

Mr. Ramakrishnan expressed satisfaction over implementation of the Act in the four districts. However, the Collectors expressed some practical difficulties like people seeking irrelevant information.

The Commission suggested on educating the public on the Act. "Media and press can also play an important role in educating the public on how to use the act," Mr.Ramakrishnan said.

The Commission had received demands from people seeking reduction of the fee of Rs.50. The matter was discussed with the Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi who has offered to reduce it.

Mr. Ramakrishnan said that Thanjavur Collector had created a website that provided several information.

Other Collectors also evinced interest in creating such a website in the meeting.

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