Letter to Orissa Information Commission from Vishal Kudchadkar, USA on the need for implementation of Section 4 of RTI Act 2005

To

The Chief Orissa Information Commissioner and Orissa Information Commissioner,

Orissa Information Commission, State Guest House, Bhubaneswar

Dear Sirs,

I have just learnt that the State information Commission, Goa had passed a landmark judgement on June 2006 directing to all public authorities of Goa to make suo moto disclosure of information as required under section 4 of the RTI Act within one month. Accordingly, all the Public authorities have disclosed the information in Goa. I do attach herewith the judgement for your reference.

I have been given to believe that the Orissa State Information Commission  is busy in rejecting  all complaints of the citizens relating to the failure of  the public authority to disclose proactively information under section-4 of the Act. This is rather unfortunate. I would request the Orissa State Information Commission to take a leaf from its Goan counterpart and direct Orissa Public Authorities to sou-moto disclose information under section-4 of the Act. Please note that it is a requirement under the Act that within120 days information under Section 4 be disclosed.  Even after more than one year implementation of RTI Act in the state this has not been done. As the guardian of the Act you must ensure that the Act is followed in letter and spirit.

I look forward to a direction from you to the Orissa Public Authorities requiring them to suo-moto disclose information under section 4 of the Act.

Thank you.

Regards,

Vishal

Vishal Kudchadkar

11755 National Blvd Apt 9

Los Angeles CA 90064

Dated: 10 March 2007