Telangana RTI conference to focus on uniform implementation, case pendency
Hyderabad: The Telangana Information Commission will hold a two-day Telangana RTI conference on September 10 and 11 to examine greater operational uniformity in implementing the Right to Information Act.
The national conference, titled “Operational Uniformity in Implementation of RTI: Challenges and Solutions,” will take place at the Administrative Staff College of India in Hyderabad.
The National Federation of Information Commissioners in India will sponsor the event. The Telangana Information Commission will organise it in collaboration with ASCI. Around 20 State Chief Information Commissioners were expected to participate. Many of them had previously served as Chief Secretaries and senior IAS and IPS officers.
Information Commissioners, legal experts, policymakers and senior administrators from across India were also expected to attend. The Telangana Governor consented to attend the inaugural ceremony as chief guest and deliver the keynote address.
Telangana RTI conference to examine implementation gaps
The Telangana RTI conference will provide a national platform to exchange experiences and examine emerging challenges in implementing the Right to Information Act, 2005. Participants will deliberate on measures to strengthen implementation and improve the delivery of information to citizens.
The conference will seek greater consistency, efficiency, transparency and predictability in the functioning of Information Commissions. However, organisers stressed that operational uniformity should not result in rigid or mechanical decision-making.
Every RTI application, appeal and complaint should continue to receive consideration based on its individual facts, circumstances and applicable legal provisions. The conference will also facilitate the exchange of best practices among Information Commissions.
Participants will examine practical solutions that could make access to information more efficient and citizen-friendly. Four panel discussions will address contemporary issues surrounding implementation of the RTI Act.
Key subjects will include uniform procedures and practices, reducing pendency and ensuring timely disposal of cases. Participants will also examine effective hearing mechanisms and proactive disclosure under Section 4 of the RTI Act.
Digitalisation of RTI processes will form another major area of discussion. The conference will consider capacity building for Public Information Officers and First Appellate Authorities.
Another theme will involve preventing misuse of RTI provisions without restricting legitimate access for citizens. Participants will also deliberate on strengthening the independence and effectiveness of Information Commissions.
The discussions will seek to identify areas where uniform practices could improve efficiency and public access. At the same time, they will consider the discretion required for fair and lawful decisions.
Telangana RTI conference brings senior experts together
Former Central Information Commissioner Heeralal Samaria will be among the distinguished speakers at the conference. Former Chhattisgarh Chief Information Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha and former Tamil Nadu Chief Information Commissioner Shakeel Ahmed will also address participants.
The Telangana Information Commission acknowledged the support and guidance of NFICI president R.K. Goyal in advancing the national initiative. It also acknowledged ASCI Director General N. Ramesh Kumar’s support and guidance for the conference.
Organisers said operational uniformity was intended to create a clear, consistent, predictable and citizen-friendly RTI experience across India. However, each case would still require examination on its individual facts and legal requirements.
The conference will be hosted at ASCI, whose academic environment and professional expertise were expected to support detailed deliberations. Organisers also cited the institution’s long experience in capacity building as suitable for professional exchange and constructive dialogue.