Chandigarh: The Haryana government has directed departments and public authorities to ensure timely disposal of first appeals filed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, while requiring appellate authorities to issue clear and reasoned decisions.
Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, a 1990-batch IAS officer of the Haryana cadre, has instructed all concerned officials to comply with the statutory timelines for deciding first appeals. He has also emphasised that State Public Information Officers (SPIOs) must provide information that can legally be disclosed under the Act without unnecessary delay.
The directions follow concerns raised by the Haryana State Information Commission over delays in deciding first appeals and the issuance of orders without adequate reasoning.
Chief Secretary Emphasises Timely Disposal and Speaking Orders
In a communication issued by the Chief Secretary, officials have been reminded of their obligations under Section 19(6) of the RTI Act.
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The provision requires first appellate authorities to decide appeals within the prescribed period. While issuing orders, authorities must also consider the key points and grounds raised by the appellants.
The government has specifically directed appellate authorities to:
- Dispose of first appeals within the statutory timeframe.
- Examine the principal grounds and submissions raised by appellants.
- Record clear and logical reasons while passing orders.
- Ensure that decisions adequately explain the basis for accepting or rejecting an appeal.
- Direct SPIOs to provide legally disclosable information without unnecessary delay.
These instructions are intended to ensure that first appeals are decided in accordance with the provisions of the RTI Act.
Haryana State Information Commission Flags Delays
The latest directions came after the Haryana State Information Commission expressed concern over delays in the disposal of first appeals by various departments and public authorities.
The Commission also pointed to instances of orders being passed without sufficient reasons.
It subsequently requested administrative departments, heads of departments and other authorities to issue appropriate instructions to ensure compliance with the RTI framework.
Following this, the state government issued directions to the concerned officials, reiterating the need for timely decisions and reasoned orders.
Pending RTI Cases Also Came Under Discussion
The issue of pending cases before the Haryana State Information Commission had also come up during a recent press conference.
Journalists had asked the Commission about the number of pending cases. Chief Information Commissioner TVSN Prasad had said that the information would be provided later.
The latest government communication focuses on improving compliance with the existing provisions governing first appeals, particularly the timelines for disposal and the requirement to provide reasons in appellate decisions.
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