The number of RTI applications rejected by public authorities increased to 64,666 in 2015-16 as compared to 60,127 such applications in 2013-14, the Centre said today.
In a written response in Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Jitendra Singh presented year-wise data of the ‘received and rejected’ RTI applications, as intimated by the Central Information Commission to the government.
ALSO READ:Development is key to improving lives of people of Jharkhand: PM Modi
“The number of RTI applications received by various authorities also increased in the period,”
“The government has issued instructions to all ministries and departments from time to time impressing upon public authorities to disclose maximum information proactively under Section 4 of the RTI Act, thus reducing the need for filing RTI applications by the citizens,”
The minister added that only 12 seats are vacant in the Central Information Commission (CIC) as 148 of the 160 sanctioned posts have been filled up either by regular staff or contractual and outsourced staff.