Question : IMPLEMENTATION OF RTI ACT

(a) whether certain States have been lagging behind in implementing the RTI(Right to Information) Act as reported in the Times of India dated October 29, 2006;

(b) if so, the names of such states and the reasons thereof;

(c) whether the Government has fixed any time frame for the States to implement the RTI Act;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) if not, the reasons therefor; and

(f) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Union Government for strict compliance and implementation of the RTI Act by all the States and Union Territories?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCESAND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS.(SHRI SURESH PACHOURI)

(a) and (b): The State Governments are under statutory obligation to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Act. According to available information, out of 27 States covered under the Act, all States except the States of Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur have set up State Information Commissions.

(c) to (e): The Act itself contains provisions regarding time frame for its implementation.

(f): Though it is the responsibility of respective States to ensure implementation of the Act, the Government of India have been from time to time advising all the States to fully operationalise provisions of the Act