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RTI activists seek probe into functioning of SIC

BHUBANESWAR: Right To Information activists on Sunday demanded that an inquiry be instituted to look into alleged “objectionable style of functioning” of State Information Commission (SIC) during last two years.

A study titled “Standard and quality of decisions of Orissa State Information Commission”, in which a select number of 20 cases (both second appeals and complaints) disposed of by SIC within the period of January and March 2007 were taken up for in-depth analysis was released here.

RTI activists expressed their unhappiness as large number of applications relating to public grievances were not given due importance while SIC had failed to streamline the process for its “soft approach.”

Out of 20 cases, in at least 16 cases (75 per cent) it was found that Public Information Officers (PIOs) did not provide requested information within the prescribed time limit, and that, without showing any reasonable cause, the study said.

“In most of the decisions, the Information Commissioners even after identifying the instances of failure on the part of PIOs to act according to the provisions uses the expression that the opposite parties are exonerated from penalty under section 20. The blanket amnesty by the commissioner towards the defaulting PIOs is meant to protect them at any cost,” the study said.

The study further observed that first appellate officer was empowered to hear the first appeal filed by appellant against the decision of PIO.

“Out of 20 cases studied, the first appellate officers had upheld the decisions of PIOs in 12 (60 per cent) cases.

But in no such case, the SIC has censured that first appellate officer for their act of blind upholding of decision of PIO,” it said.

“If one takes cursory look at the functioning of the commission in the State, its role so far, is not only confusing at times but some of the actions are also contrary to both letter and spirit of the Act.

Many of the commission’s actions in the last two years can be cited as examples of what a commission should not do under the RTI Act,” said Pradip Pradhan, an RTI activist and convenor of State Right To Food Campaign.

The activists suggested to improve documentation of the cases and the judgments as they were for posterity and can be cited as precedence and for research.

A periodic public hearing of SIC’s work may be organised every three months or so to look at the progress of RTI work periodically, the study said.

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