State Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) Suresh Joshi wants Right to Information (RTI) applications replied to within seven days. But does Joshi practise what Joshi preaches?

Does the Info Chief listen to himself?

State Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) Suresh Joshi wants Right to Information (RTI) applications replied to within seven days. But does Joshi practise what Joshi preaches?

Joshi became the darling of the RTI activist brigade a few days ago when he announced RTI applications would be answered within a week and not a month. It was Joshi's contention that authorities often sat over applications for no good reason.

These activists alleged that Joshi, a man whose job it is to ensure the smooth and effective implementation of the RTI Act across the state, had himself not replied to RTI applications seeking information on his activities.
City-based RTI activist Vihar Durve has two such applications pending with Joshi's office.

"Two years ago I made an application with Joshi's office, asking for his property details. Officers at his level are supposed to disclose such details to the government to ensure transparency," said Durve. "But they rejected my application, stating that this (kind of information) was exempt under RTI."

Durve went in appeal.
"My first appeal was dismissed. I went in for a second appeal," said Durve. "At the last minute, they cancelled the date of hearing, which is pending till today."

Then, last year Durve filed an application to get details of Joshi's foreign tours during his tenure as CIC. It was the same story, again.

"I went in for the first appeal and it was replied to; the reply was that I should enquire at another office. I did so, and again there was no reply, so I went in for the second appeal. But no answers were given, so I filed the same query under a fresh application on May 11," said Durve. "It is now nearing the one-month period, and again it seems there is no reply."

MiD DAY has a copy of all these applications filed and the replies received from state officials.

Durve is not the only one with such an experience. Mumbai-based RTI activist Bhaskar Prabhu filed a complaint with Joshi's office over a year ago over the charges levied by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation for providing information under the RTI Act.
"I have not received any reply," said Prabhu.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels