Overview

The Karnataka State Information Commissioner, Rudranna Harthikote, stressed the importance of providing information to applicants without negligence, emphasizing the significance of the Right to Information (RTI) Act. The Commissioner addressed a training workshop in Bidar, reminding officials of the 30-day deadline for furnishing information sought under the Act.

Key Developments

Constitutional and Legal Basis

The Commissioner highlighted the constitutional basis of the RTI Act, linking it to Articles 19(1)(a) and 21 of the Constitution. He also referenced the landmark 1975 Raj Narain vs Uttar Pradesh judgment, which strongly upheld citizens’ right to know, serving as a foundation for the enactment of the RTI Act in 2005.

State-Level RTI Statistics

Out of 55,143 applications received in Karnataka, 36,206 have been disposed of.
Penalties amounting to ₹10.16 crore have been imposed in 10,735 cases under the RTI Act.
However, only ₹2.70 crore has been recovered in 3,084 cases.

District-Level Analysis: Bidar

Bidar district has 383 pending applications, with the highest number in the following departments:

Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department (RDPR): 215
Urban Development Authority (UDA): 58
Revenue Department: 54
Social Welfare Department: 21
Other departments: 35

Despite these figures, Bidar has the lowest number of pending applications in the Kalyana Karnataka region. Penalties of ₹9.2 lakh have been imposed in 106 cases, but only ₹87,000 has been collected in 7 cases.

Perspectives from Other Information Commissioners

Rajshekhar S. (Bengaluru Bench): Emphasized that the RTI Act promotes good governance, transparency, and curbs corruption.
B. Venkata Singh (Kalaburagi Bench): Noted that 6,768 cases are pending in the Kalaburagi region, primarily related to the Panchayat Raj Department. He highlighted the importance of timely information provision by PDOs and the need for understanding the Act’s provisions and related court judgments.

UPSC Relevance

This news article is relevant to the UPSC Civil Services Exam, particularly under GS Paper 2 (Governance, Transparency and Accountability) and GS Paper 2 (Government Policies and Interventions). It provides insights into the implementation of the RTI Act, its challenges, and its role in promoting transparency and accountability in governance.

Key Concepts for UPSC

Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005: Its objectives, provisions, and impact on governance.
Transparency and Accountability: Their importance in a democratic system and how the RTI Act contributes to them.
Good Governance: The principles of good governance and the role of the RTI Act in achieving them.
Challenges in Implementation: Issues such as delays in providing information, low recovery of penalties, and lack of awareness among officials and the public.

Important Facts

The RTI Act mandates that information be furnished within 30 days.
Karnataka has received 55,143 RTI applications.
₹10.16 crore in penalties have been imposed under the RTI Act.
₹2.70 crore has been recovered from penalties.
Bidar has 383 pending RTI applications.
The Raj Narain vs Uttar Pradesh judgment (1975) upheld citizens’ right to know.

Officials must provide information without negligence, says Information Commissioner

Key Points

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