State and Central Information Commissions, which are the courts of appeal under the Act, failed to impose penalties in about 97% of the cases where violations took place in 2018-19. In fact, penalties were only imposed in 2,091 cases, that is 3% of the cases where violations took place, and less than 2% of the total number of cases disposed. Apart from fines, the commissions also have the power to recommend disciplinary action against officials for persistent violations of the RTI Act. “The laxity in imposing penalties allows PIOs to take liberties with the RTI Act, at the cost of the public. The report showed that there were 2.18 lakh cases pending with the commissions in March 2019, in comparison with 1.85 lakh pending cases a year earlier.

Source: The Hindu October 11, 2019 21:51 UTC