(a) the drawbacks that have come to the notice of the Government during implementation of the Right to Information
Act (RTI), 2005;
(b) the remedial steps the Government has taken or proposes to take in this regard; and
(c) the corrective steps the Government proposed to ensure that the applications under the RTI Act are specific and
are not vexatious in nature asking for unconnected details?
Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Prime
Minister’s Office. (SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY)
(a): A study was conducted in 2008-09 through an independent organization to assess the key issues and constraints in
implementation of the Right to Information Act, 2005. The report on the implementation of the RTI Act, 2005 points out
that there is inadequate planning by the public authorities in regard to supply of information; awareness about the Act
in rural areas is much less than in urban areas; awareness amongst women is much less than men; the gap in implementation
of the Act is because of lack of clear accountability in respect of various functions, etc. In this regard, the study
recommended measures for improving awareness on right to information; improving convenience in filing information
requests; improving efficiency of the Information Commissions, enhancing accountability and clarity of various
stakeholders, etc.
(b): The Government has taken steps to build the capacity of the demand and supply side through training, on-line
certificate course, and publication of guides on the Right to Information Act. Awareness Generation has been undertaken
through print, electronic, outdoor media. The Government has also issued a number of clarificatory orders.
(c): Government undertakes capacity building programmes for both the demand and supply sides wherein along with the
provisions of the RTI Act, 2005 the process of seeking information is explained.