Start payment facility for RTI applicants at central agency level, BMC told

While paying fees for procuring information under Right to Information Act, one may not have to run to citizen facilitation centres (CFCs) when they have sought the same from central agencies.

At present, citizens have to approach the CFCs to pay for the information they have sought from central agencies. Most of the times, they have to be paid at a particular time at centers far from where the information has to be collected. Citizens have to face this harrowing experience despite central agencies having cash counters.

But now, this may not be the case. The state information commission has directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal commissioner to make the same facilities available at the central agency offices too. Following a complaint filed by applicant Mahabir Urs, the directive was given on October 20 by state chief information commissioner, Ratnakar Gaikwad.

"I haven't yet seen the order. We will make the necessary arrangements once we receive it," said Sitaram Kunte, municipal commissioner.