Maharashtra to become first state to allow online filing of RTI pleas

Mumbai, Dec 26:

will soon become the first state to let people seek government information online under the Right To Information Act. This will make the process much easier, says a

Presently, people file their RTI applications physically and pay a fee of Rs10 via modes like a court fee stamp, demand draft and Indian postal order. A portal has already been launched to enable online filing of RTI applications with major ministries and departments located in New Delhi. When an applicant file a petition online, he/she will be given a unique registration number for future reference. the applicant will also get SMS alerts. the applicant can pay the fees online via credit or debit card or net banking.

Maharashtra information technology (IT) secretary Rajesh Aggarwal told DNA that the National Informatics Centre (NIC) was fine-tuning the system. "This will be online in around two to three weeks' time," he said.

Officials expect that the online system will encourage more and more studentsand professionals to use the Act.

However, the officer sais that the public information officers (PIO) in rural areas could face problems receiving and processing RTI applications online.

From January to December 2012, a total of 6,82,286 RTI applications were filed in Maharashtra. Out of these information was given for 6,54,067 applications. A total of 92,649 RTI applications were pending since 2011.

Oneindia News