COURTEOUS BEHAVIOR WITH THE PERSONS SEEKING INFORMATION UNDER THE RTI ACT, 2005 AND TRAINING PROGRAMMES ON THE RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT.

The public Information officers and the officers on duty for the Right to Information Act, 2005 are not taking cognisance of the guidelines issued for the implementation of courteous behavior with the persons seeking information under the RTI Act, 2005 however the Government of India Department of personnel and training OM number 1/33/2007 -IR dated 14-11-2007 clearly stating in this behalf of the notice of the department with confirmation that officers of the some of the public authorities do not behave properly with the persons who seek information under the RTI Act. It is directed to say that the responsibility of a public authority and its public information officers (PIO) is not confined to furnish information but also to provide necessary help to the information-seeker, where ever necessary. While providing information or rendering help to a person, it is important to be courteous to the information seeker and to respect his dignity. (2) Many organisations/training institutions are conducting training programmes on the Right to Information Act. The public authorities should ensure that PIOs and other concerned officers are exposed to such training programmes. The public authorities may also organise training programmes at their own level. While imparting such training, the officers should be sensitised about the need of courteous behavior with the information seekers. (3) The Commission has also expressed concern over the fact that many public authorities have not published relevant information under Section 4 of the Act. All the public authorities should ensure that they make suo motu disclosure as provided in the Act without any further delay and it is a statutory requirement, which should not be compromised with :-- Er Fateh chand Guleria, Director RTI welfare Association registered number HPCD, 3552 , Bilaspur Himachal pradesh phone number, 9459334377