Information Society Watch

September 30, 2006, Times of India

A year after the Right to Information Act, public information officers (PIOs) of government bodies in the state of Maharashtra have received around 60,000 RTI applications, apparently placing them far ahead of other states. This Act has allowed many poor to acquire simple documents like land records, pension dues, Employment Guarantee Scheme, and pending police cases. However, there is a high number of cases pending, highlighting a slow pace which is itself a consequence of a lack of staff. Notably in favour of transparency, though, the State Information Commission has deemed that the accounts of district co-operative banks should also be open to public scrutiny.

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