Our Correspondent
Kohima | December 17
From 2006-07 to 2016-17, out of 24, 896 odd RTI requests, 22, 954 replies were furnished which comes to a reply rate of 92.20 %.
This was stated in the annual report of the Nagaland Information Commission (2015-16 and 2016-17) tabled in the just concluded state assembly session here.
The report informed that there has been a steady increase in the number of RTI applications received by the various Public Authorities in the state of Nagaland, which reflects the growing awareness of RTI generated among the people.
However, during the period from 2015-16 to 2016-17, there has been a slight decline in the number of RTI applications received by the various Public Authorities in the state, although there was an increase in the percentage of information furnished by the PIOs of various Public Authorities from 91.71% in 2015-16 to 93.72% in 2016-17.
During 2016-17, the number of RTI application received from various levels stands at: Directorate – 932, districts- 2782, secretariat 354 and other units at 276.
The nature of information sought through RTI for the year 2015-16 and 2016-17 includes, financial incumbency list, schemes, verification, land issues, appointment, recruitment, beneficiaries, Act/Rules, contract /civil works, retirement list and educational examination.
The most sought after information in the state during 2015-16 and 2016-17 were relating to financial matters such as funds sanctioned, funds released, balance amount, departmental charges and deductions etc.
This was followed by information relating to schemes, projects, contract works and civil works.
Also, information sought relating to incumbency list, recruitment and retirement list, and examination considering the high rate of employment in the state seemed to gained popularity, the report added.
According to the findings and recommendations of the Impact Analysis for the last 10 years, there is poor awareness about RTI Act, worse in the village than district headquarters.
Very few applicants were from villages, even though over 75% of Nagaland’s population lives in villages. Awareness levels about the RTI also seen very slow in villages.
It stated that the applicants, especially from villages said they wanted to use the RTI Act in order to seek redress of their grievances.
Applicants are often intimated, threatened and even physically attacked when they file an RTI application, or as a consequence of their submitting such an application, the report stated.
There are certain public authorities/departments such as home/police, health and family welfare, school, education PWD, RD, social welfare, civil supplies etc who received a disproportionate share of RTI applications compared to other public authorities.
