Appoint public information officers, RIC tells Rajasthan ministers

Jaipur, October 2

The Rajasthan Information Commission (RIC) has brought all ministers of the state government under the gambit of the Right to Information Act and asked them to appoint a public information officer (PIO) and first appeal officer in each ministry with immediate effect.

Even 12 years after the implemention of the RTI, ministers had been dithering in appointing PIOs, said Ashutosh Sharma, State Information Commissioner. The RIC has issued a letter directing the Chief Secretary to follow the RTI Act and ensure that every minister is following it in spirit, the officer said.

The fresh orders come on an appeal by Gaurishankar Malu, who was denied information by a minister’s office.

The ministers have been asked to update cases related to the RTI on their website under Section 4 (1) (B) of the RTI Act. The Chief Minister’s office is already under the RTI Act. — OC