CIC report: Most Central govt units proactive, a few falter

The annual report of the CIC takes into consideration the performance of various central government institutions, including banks, in implementing the RTI Act. The report takes in account the number of RTI applications received by the institutions, the number of applications rejected and the number of applicants who made first and second appeals. It is mandatory for every public information officer (PIO) to submit the details to the CIC.

An analysis of the report shows that in Pune, there are 12 non-military establishments which come under the purview of the CIC. Film and Television Institute of India, the offices of the chief commissioner of income tax, director investigations of income tax and National Chemical Laboratory are some of the institutions mentioned by the CIC in its report.

CDAC and Hindustan Antibiotics have been pulled up by the CIC for not submitting their annual returns. While it was an administrative lapse on the part of Hindustan Antibiotics, officials of CDAC say it was responsible for their failure to submit the annual report. “We receive around 300-400 RTI applications a year, and around 30-40 of them go for first or second appeals. This year, we failed to submit the annual report,” said a senior official of CDAC. The reports have to be sent by the end of March.

When it comes to rejection, by far the highest number of applications have been rejected by the office of the chief commissioner of income tax. Of the applications received, 44.8 per cent were rejected. Similarly, 43.2 per cent of the RTI applications received by the Bank of Maharashtra were rejected. The office of the Chief Commissioner of Central Excise and Customs, Pune, rejected 24.4 per cent of the applications, while the office of the director general of income tax rejected 23.2 per cent of the applications. Indian Institute of Science Education & Research (IISER), Film and Television Institute of India and other institutions did not reject any RTI application.

In a written reply, the Bank of Maharashtra stated that the applications were dealt based on their merit and provision of the Act. “Adequate systems are in place to ensure that the authorities dealing with RTI matters are well versed with the provisions of the Act. CPIO & Appellate Authorities are designated at each zone, as well as at the head office,” the reply read.