'Pained To Observe That Dept. Of Legal Affairs Which Advises Ministries On Legal Matters Faulted In Recognizing The Basic Issues Pertaining To RTI Act': CIC [Read Order]

Pained by the "callousness" of the Department of Legal Affairs in abiding by the provisions of the Right to Information Act, 2005, the Central Information Commission on Wednesday instructed the authority to convene periodic conferences/ seminars to sensitize and educate its officials and ensure that they discharge their duties, effectively. Noting the issue of "multiple transfers" of the RTI application, the Commission was "pained to observe that the Department of Legal Affairs which was the department concerned with advising the Ministries on legal matters and formulation of Rules and Regulations and its interpretation for various Government bodies, faulted in recognizing the basic issues pertaining to the RTI Act, 2005 which was meant for dissemination of information to a common man." As reflected from the order, CPIO to the Department of Legal Affiars, Shri Brindavan, without quoting any Section of the RTI Act, 2005, wrongly/ unnecessarily forwarded the RTI application in original to the M/o Culture. Finding merit in the arguments raised by the Appellant and aggrieved by "complete negligence and laxity" in the public authority, the Commission instructed the Secretary, D/o Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice to "depute an officer of an appropriate seniority to examine the matter and provide point wise information to the Appellant in accordance with the provisions of the RTI Act, 2005 within a period of 30 days from the date of receipt of this order depending upon the condition for containment of the Corona Virus Pandemic in the Country." "This indicates blatant callousness/ casualness/ disregard to the provisions of the RTI Act, 2005 by providing an incorrect and misleading response to the Appellant," the Commission said.