Seeking information on PERFORMANCE OF INFORMATION COMMISSIONS IN INDIA : Both CIC and SICs

Seeking information on PERFORMANCE OF INFORMATION COMMISSIONS IN INDIA : Both CIC and SICs

The Right to Information Action group of Uttar Pradesh is organizing an event where the issue of PERFORMANCE OF INFORMATION COMMISSIONS IN INDIA will also be taken up. All activists and RTI workers are requested to please send in their views on the performance of their State Commissions and also the Central Commission.

The review may include information on the following areas: (only an indicative list)

1. Date of establishment of the SIC – Whether within the date / period prescribed by the RTI Act or not. (Say for example, the SIC in Uttar Pradesh was established very late, beyond the statutory limit prescribed by the Act.)

2. How much is the CIC / SIC equipped to handle and dispose of the cases? Say in terms of infrastructure and manpower support.
3. Does the CIC / SIC follow the suo-moto disclosures as prescribed in Section 4 of the act? If yes to what extent?

4. Cases filed (say upto a cut-off date)
5. Cases disposed (upto cut-off date)
6. Percentage of cases heard and disposed
7. Average time taken to dispose off a case
8. Fines levied : Extent and in how many cases
9. How many cases are disposed in favour of the applicants?

10. How many cases were not in favour of the applicants?
11. What are the general pleas taken on record by the CIC / SIC to deny information?
12. Does the CIC / SIC levy penalty as a deterrent for concealing information? So that other A/PIO feel the pinch.
13. Commentary on any landmark order by CIC / SIC that has a long term impact on the future of RTI in India.
14. Any blot (negative order) that is likely to be a hamper in the path of RTI in India.
15. Major grievances of people / applicant against the CIC / SIC.
16. Does the SIC has a website
17. Is the website regularly updated by the commission
18. Does the website provide details of cases coming up for hearing, cases pending, cases disposed and the decisions of the commissions?

19. Any other information that you feel important.

This is only an indicative list and not an exhaustive one. RTI workers and activists are free to include any other detail which they feel may be relevant in this regard. We are attempting to present a PERFORMANCE REPORT CARD of the information commissions before a wider audience. You may also send in your experiences.

All of your are requested to please provide the information available as there is no central source for capturing and maintaining such information. You may also take the above questions as a survey and send your personal feedback.

Your feedback and cooperation is very crucial in this fact finding mission. All contributions shall be duly acknowledged. The closing date is November 12, 2008.

Please feel free to get in touch over email of phone for any further discussion.

Regards,

Sachin Agarwal
Secretary
Society for People’s Action, Change and Enforcement (SPACE)

Email: tellsachin@yahoo.com
Phone: +91 94152 55042