Every Monday for two hours, Maharashtra residents can now go through government records in district-level offices and local bodies under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. Last week, a government resolution (GR) to this effect was issued by the General Administration Department (GAD). The move is aimed at increasing transparency and to cut down the number of RTI applications and appeals in the government offices.
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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 November 26.
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 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm every Monday. In case of a public holiday on Monday, the inspection will be allowed on the next working day,” it stated.
Meanwhile, RTI activists have welcomed the government's initiative.
Former Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) Shailesh Gandhi said on Monday that citizens must use this facility extensively and consistently to ensure its implementation.
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