Haryana RTI activists seek reforms in State Information Commission, submit 17-point memorandum to Governor

RTI activists in Haryana have raised concerns over delays in hearings, disposal of appeals and denial of government documents. | Photo Credit: Special arrangement

Right to Information (RTI) activists from several Haryana districts submitted a 17-point memorandum to Governor Ashim Kumar Ghosh on Monday (October 12), seeking reforms in the functioning of the State Information Commission and effective implementation of the RTI Act, 2005. 

Jan Abhiyan Manch president and RTI activist P.P. Kapoor alleged that the State government had undermined the Act and that the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, enacted by the Narendra Modi government, had weakened the right to access information. He accused Information Commissioners of obstructing its implementation, alleging that Public Information Officers were failing to provide information and First Appellate Authorities (FAAs) were not conducting hearings. 

Mr. Kapoor also alleged that the Commission was returning second appeals to FAAs for disposal without hearing them. The RTI Act, which came into force on October 12, 2005, had been reduced to a “joke” in Haryana, he said, warning that activists would stage protests outside the Commission if their grievances were not addressed.