State to make available RTI services through CSCs

BHUBANESWAR: Now the RTI services for common people would be available through Common Service Centres (CSCs) put in place at panchayat level all over the State. The Nodal Department of Information and Public Relations has evolved the strategy for implementation of the RTI in the State. These citizen-centric services would enable the common man applying the tool of RTI and increase the access of citizen for obtaining information remaining under the control of public authorities in a more convenient and easier manner.

The services like downloading of forms, on-line application, making e-payment, checking status of RTI application, accessing the pro-active disclosure made under Section-4 of the RTI Act, 2005 and getting information on important policies and programmes of the State Government would be delivered through these CSCs integrating the RTI Central Monitoring Mechanism, available at www.rtiodisha.gov.in, a robust IT intervention already effected in the process of RTI implantation in Odisha.

The IT initiative of the State has already won the prestigious National Awards for E-governance for the year 2011-12. Prior to this distinction, this mechanism brought glory to the State winning INDIA e-GOV 2.0 Awards as the best Government Portal in the country. The World Bank also appreciated it terming as ‘truly impressive’ in entire South Asia.

A meeting was convened on November 2 on the instruction of Energy Secretary and RTI Odisha’s Nodal Officer PK Jena to prepare a complete blue-print of this innovative strategy. A decision was taken in the meeting on the proper implementation of the programme for the benefit of the citizen seeking information through RTI and to make the strategy pragmatic through meaningful co-ordination among the operating agencies, Content Service Provider of RTI Portal, OCAC and State RTI Implementation Cell.