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Udupi, Nov 10: The Right to Information Act has been implemented with the aim of bringing transparency in government work. State Information Commissioner Mamatha Gowda said that when citizens submit an application seeking information on government works, the information should be given without fail.

She was speaking after presiding over the Right to Information workshop organized for Public Information Officers at Dr. V.S. Acharya Auditorium, Zilla Panchayat, Rajathadri, Manipal today.

The Right to Information (RTI) Act was enacted in 2005 to ensure transparency in the functioning of government offices and every citizen of India has the right to get information about the working of the government from government officials. When they apply for information, they should pay the fee within the stipulated time and give the documents as per the rules, she said.
Public Information Officers (PIOs) are the custodians of information and are required to provide any public files, information, photographs, digital data and other documents related to the office without giving any reason when RTI applications are received. No personal information like PAN, Aadhaar, marks cards or any other personal information of an individual should be disclosed. When the information is in the larger public interest, under Section 11, notice can be given to the person concerned about the personal information, if they consent to the sharing of the information.
The information provided on a voluntary basis under section 4 (1) A, 4 (1) B of the Right to Information Act can be availed by the public by uploading on the website, the files maintained in the office, transactions, details of the office function and the staff on duty and other details from time to time. This will prevent you from applying.

If there is an exemption from furnishing the documents referred to in 8 (1) J and there is a clear order from the court that it should not be furnished, the information can be denied, she said, adding that government employees should cooperate with the public when they apply for documents.
The officers should first remember that they are also citizens. If they have any information that is required under the Right to Information Act, they should give it to the applicant immediately and get a back letter and pay the fee. When the public applies for information, they should be helped by giving them the information they have within thirty days without unnecessarily distracting them. Action would be taken against such officials, he said.
Deputy Commissioner Swaroopa T. K. said that there is confusion among the officials regarding the disposal of applications under the Right to Information Act. Amendments to the Act are made from time to time. She said that the workshop has been organized so that every officer of the lower level should know about these things and the officers should take advantage of the workshop.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Abid Gadyal, Zilla Panchayat Deputy Secretary S S Kadhrolli, District and taluk level Information officials were present.