In an attempt to ensure 'fearless' disclosure of information under the RTI Act, the CIC has suggested to the Centre that information officers of all 'public authorities' be considered as officers of the Commission.
NEW DELHI: In an attempt to ensure 'fearless' disclosure of information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, the Central Information Commission (CIC) has suggested to the Centre that information officers of all "public authorities" be considered as officers of the Commission.
"Just as vigilance officers in government departments who, though working in the department, are considered also to be officials of the Central Vigilance Commission ... the PIOs (Public Information Officers) of public authorities should be considered as officers of Central Information Commission...," the CIC said in its first annual report.
The report, recently placed in the Parliament, made the suggestion after noting that some PIOs have expressed a fear that divulging information, under the RTI, was against the wishes of their seniors and could result into adverse remarks being made in their Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs).
"It is obvious that Public Information Officers (PIOs) have a difficult task to fulfil ... they are often caught between the wrath and reluctance of their seniors in having to part with information and the insistence of the CIC that they do their duty," the report said.
Noting that such fears could have an adverse bearing on the effective implementation of the RTI Act, the Commission proposed that ACRs of PIOs should be written by Information Commissioners, either in the Centre or in the states, so as to enable them to work "objectively and fearlessly".
The 2005-2006 annual report has also brought into light the Commission's frustration on being deprived of powers to ensure strict implementation of its decisions.
Besides, the CIC sought powers like contempt of court be given to it for getting its orders enforced.
"The Commission feels handicapped about not being able to hold Central PIOs and public authorities for non-implementation of its orders/decisions. To give teeth to its powers, it is essential that the Commission be given powers of contempt of court," the report said.
Terming the RTI Act as a "historic piece of legislation", the CIC called upon government to strengthen its hands to achieve the aims under the Act and also urged public authorities to become aware of their responsibilities.
If functioning and administration of the Act was a concern, the Commission has also urged the government to grant it with "financial and administrative autonomy" in creating posts, hiring personnel and re-appropriation of funds.
Commenting on the increasing misuse of the RTI Act by government employees, the CIC has said that public offices should review and strengthen their grievance redressal systems so as to desist employees from resorting to the provisions of the Act.
The Commission in its resolve to strengthen the "information regime" in the country has called for a need to set up a 'Centre for Accountability and Transparency' which would undertake research activities so as to promote the objectives of the information law.
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