The government is reinforcing the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, based on suggestions from the Central Chief Information Commissioner. Key initiatives include mandating a separate chapter in the annual reports of all government ministries, departments, and public sector undertakings (PSUs) detailing RTI application statistics, denial cases, and efforts to improve implementation. Furthermore, all ministries and departments are required to conduct annual half-day training programs for their Chief Information Commissioners (CPIOs) and Appellate Authorities (AAs) to enhance their understanding of the Act. Public authorities with websites must also publish monthly data on RTI applications received and disposed of, starting from July 10, 2011. These instructions are to be disseminated promptly to all subordinate offices and PSUs.
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No.4/10/2011-IR
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances \& Pensions
Department of Personnel \& Training
North Block, New Delhi
Dated: $18^{\text {th }}$ May, 2011
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Strengthening Implementation of the Right to Information Act, 2005.
Central Chief Information Commissioner has made a reference to the Cabinet Secretary making several suggestions for effective implementation of the Right to Information Act, 2005. It has been decided in consultation with the Cabinet Secretariat that following actions shall be undertaken by all Ministries/Departments/Attached Offices/PSUs of Central Government to strengthen the implementation of the RTI Act:
a) In the Annual reports of the Central Ministries/Departments and other attached/subordinate offices/PSUs, a separate chapter shall be included regarding implementation of the RTI Act in their respective offices. This chapter should detail the number of RTI applications received and disposed off during the year, including number of cases in which the information was denied. In addition to the above, efforts made to improve the implementation of the Act in their respective offices, including any innovative measures that have been undertaken, should also be listed. This is to be ensured for Annual reports for the year 2011-12 onwards.
b) Each Ministry/Department should organize atleast a half day training programme for all CPIOs/Appellate Authorities (AAs) every year to sensitize them about their role in implementation of the RTI Act. The concerned Ministries/Departments shall ensure that similar programmes are organized for all CPIOs/AAs of all attached/subordinate offices and PSUs under their control as well.
c) All public authorities who have a web site shall publish the details of monthly receipts and disposal of RTI applications on the websites. This should be implemented within 10 days of the close of the month. Ministries/Departments would ensure that these instructions are communicated to their attached/subordinate offices as well as PSUs immediately. Monthly reporting on the above pattern should begin latest by $10^{\text {th }}$ July, 2011 for the month of June, 2011 and thereafter continue on a regular basis.2. All the Ministries/Departments are requested to take action as above and also to ensure that these instructions are communicated to their attached and subordinate offices/PSUs for compliance.
(K.G.Verma)
Director
Tel: 23092158
- All the Ministries/Departments of the Government of India.
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Union Public Service Commission/Lok Sabha Secretariat/Rajya Sabha Secretariat/Cabinet Secretariat/ Central Vigilance Commission / President’s Secretariat/Vice-Presidents’s Secretariat/Prime Minister’s Office/Planning Commission/Election Commission.
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Central Information Commission/State Information Commissions.
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Staff Selection Commission, CGO Complex, New Delhi.
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Office of the Comptroller & Auditor General of India, 10, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi.
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All Officers/Desks/Sections, Department of Personnel & Training and Department of Pension & Pensions Welfare.
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Secretary (Coordination), Cabinet Secretariat, for information
Copy to:
1. Chief Secretaries of all the States/UTs.
- State Information Commissioners