Haryana Tightens RTI Appeal Deadlines; Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi Directs Officers to Issue Reasoned Orders
Haryana Government Seeks Timely Disposal of First Appeals Under RTI Act, Emphasises Transparency and Accountability in Appellate Decisions
The Haryana government has stepped up efforts to strengthen the implementation of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, directing all departments and public authorities to ensure the timely disposal of first appeals and the issuance of well-reasoned orders.
Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, a 1990-batch IAS officer of the Haryana cadre, has instructed officials to adhere strictly to the statutory timelines prescribed for deciding first appeals. He has also emphasised that State Public Information Officers (SPIOs) must provide all information that can legally be disclosed under the Act without avoidable delays.
The directions follow concerns expressed by the Haryana State Information Commission over delays in the disposal of first appeals and instances in which appellate authorities have passed orders without adequately explaining the reasons behind their decisions.
Chief Secretary Stresses Compliance with Section 19(6)
In an official communication, the Chief Secretary reminded the concerned authorities of their responsibilities under Section 19(6) of the RTI Act.
The provision requires first appellate authorities to decide appeals within the prescribed statutory period. It also underscores the importance of examining the grounds raised by appellants before arriving at a decision.
Rastogi has made it clear that merely disposing of an appeal is not sufficient. Appellate authorities must issue speaking orders that clearly explain the reasoning behind their conclusions, including the grounds for accepting or rejecting an appellant’s submissions.
The government has directed officials to:
* Dispose of first appeals within the timeframe prescribed under the RTI Act.
* Examine the principal grounds and submissions raised by appellants.
* Record clear, logical and relevant reasons while passing appellate orders.
* Explain the basis for accepting or rejecting an appeal.
* Ensure that SPIOs provide legally disclosable information without unnecessary delay.
The instructions are aimed at improving the quality of decisions and ensuring that the appellate process functions in accordance with the statutory framework.
Information Commission Raises Concerns Over Delays
The latest directions were issued after the Haryana State Information Commission flagged delays in the disposal of first appeals across various departments and public authorities.
The Commission also expressed concern over orders that did not contain adequate reasoning, potentially undermining the effectiveness of the appellate mechanism under the RTI Act.
Following these observations, the Commission requested administrative departments, heads of departments and other public authorities to issue suitable instructions to ensure compliance with the law.
The state government’s communication reiterates the need for administrative accountability, timely decisions and transparent reasoning in matters concerning citizens’ right to access information.
Pending Cases Before Information Commission Also in Focus
The issue of pending cases before the Haryana State Information Commission had also attracted attention during a recent press conference. Journalists had sought details about the number of cases pending before the Commission. Chief Information Commissioner TVSN Prasad reportedly stated that the information would be provided subsequently.
The latest government directions, however, focus specifically on the disposal of first appeals by departmental appellate authorities and compliance with the existing provisions of the RTI Act.
By emphasising both statutory deadlines and reasoned decisions, the Haryana government is seeking to make the first appellate stage more effective and responsive to citizens.
The move is significant for strengthening the transparency framework, as timely access to information and properly reasoned appellate decisions are essential to ensuring that the RTI mechanism delivers on its intended purpose.
