Maharashtra allows citizens to inspect government records under RTI; activists welcome initiatve

Mumbai: Residents of Maharashtra can now inspect government records in district-level offices and local bodies under the Right to Information (RTI) Act for two hours on every Monday. A government resolution (GR) to this effect was issued by the General Administration Department (GAD) last week. [caption id=“attachment_5368081” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. Getty images[/caption] The move is aimed at increasing transparency and to cut down the number of RTI applications and appeals in the government offices. The GR would not be applicable to Mantralaya, the state secretariat. “This provision to allow inspection of records will not only ensure transparency, but it will also reduce the number of first and second appeals filed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act,” stated the GR dated 26 November. It referred to a similar initiative launched earlier by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). “Residents can inspect government records in district level offices and local bodies such as municipal corporations and councils between 3 pm to 5 pm every Monday. In case of a public holiday on Monday, the inspection will be allowed on the next working day,” it stated. When contacted, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told PTI that the move was aimed at ensuring transparency and reducing applications under the RTI Act. RTI activists have welcomed this initiative of the government. “Citizens must use this facility extensively and consistently to ensure its implementation,” former chief information commissioner (CIC) Shailesh Gandhi said Monday. Mumbai-based activist Anil Galgali said they were awaiting such a move. “Success of this much-awaited initiative depends on its smooth implementation by the state,” he said. Another activist Manoranjan Roy said the order should have applied to all departments of the government. “Leaving out higher offices like the state secretariat would hardly serve its purpose,” he argued.