In a bid strengthen the existing right to information (RTI) act, Maharashtra State Chief Information Commissioner, Ratnakar Gaikwad, has demanded amendment of the act, which will give more teeth to it. The book, titled RTI Act: Authentic Interpretation of the Statute, is co-authored by Shailesh Gandhi, former central information commission and Pralhad Kachare, deputy commissioner revenue Aurangabad and former director, Center for Right to Information - YASHADA Pune. Gaikwad said, “If some of my orders are not complied I issue notices, but beyond that there is no power. If such powers are given, the officials will comply to information commission orders faster.”Every month, hundreds of RTI applications are made at each of the eight information commissions across the state. However, former information commissioner Shailesh Gandhi, didn’t find the need to amend the RTI act.

Source: Hindustan Times January 20, 2017 18:45 UTC