CHENNAI: At a time
when the world is going online, the Tamil Nadu government is yet to set
up a system for online filing of applications under the Right to Information Act.
Though the state chief information commissioner said the project was in
the pipeline, no deadline has been set for its introduction.
"The state government has to take a decision on this. But we need a foolproof mechanism before its launch. It will take some more time to introduce the online system," state chief information commissioner K S Sripathi said.
In the absence of an online facility, people living abroad find it difficult to use the RTI Act effectively. Getting a postal order of 10 for filing an RTI application too has become a challenge. An NRI, who recently filed an RTI application, said: "I had to depend on my friend to file an application to know the status of my ration card. Postal orders are not available outside India. I could have easily filed and remitted the fees if it could be done online."
Many RTI applicants said the online filing of applications will reduce the cost of getting information from the government. "It's more convenient for them and it also prevents unnecessary hurdles for the applicants. We hope the online application will draw more people to filing RTI applications," said RTI activist M Thuyamurthy. Experts say the online system will save time and reduce paperwork. "If they introduce the online facility, people could save money from postage fees and papers," says an expert.
The Central government is planning to launch a portal (www.rtionline.gov.in) where an applicant can file RTI application, paying 10 using credit or debit cards. The department of personnel and training, the nodal agency for the RTI Act's implementation, will launch the portal in a couple of weeks. The department of posts will introduce an electronic version of postal orders, giving NRIs an option to pay for the information using postal orders. The Bihar government recently launched an online portal for RTI application and it has received good response from people.
"The state government has to take a decision on this. But we need a foolproof mechanism before its launch. It will take some more time to introduce the online system," state chief information commissioner K S Sripathi said.
In the absence of an online facility, people living abroad find it difficult to use the RTI Act effectively. Getting a postal order of 10 for filing an RTI application too has become a challenge. An NRI, who recently filed an RTI application, said: "I had to depend on my friend to file an application to know the status of my ration card. Postal orders are not available outside India. I could have easily filed and remitted the fees if it could be done online."
Many RTI applicants said the online filing of applications will reduce the cost of getting information from the government. "It's more convenient for them and it also prevents unnecessary hurdles for the applicants. We hope the online application will draw more people to filing RTI applications," said RTI activist M Thuyamurthy. Experts say the online system will save time and reduce paperwork. "If they introduce the online facility, people could save money from postage fees and papers," says an expert.
The Central government is planning to launch a portal (www.rtionline.gov.in) where an applicant can file RTI application, paying 10 using credit or debit cards. The department of personnel and training, the nodal agency for the RTI Act's implementation, will launch the portal in a couple of weeks. The department of posts will introduce an electronic version of postal orders, giving NRIs an option to pay for the information using postal orders. The Bihar government recently launched an online portal for RTI application and it has received good response from people.
Source : The Times of India, 01 April, 2013
No comments:
Post a Comment