Yuvaraj issues guidelines to dispose of RTI applications

Don't give room for complaints, officials told Visakhapatnam: N Yuvaraj, vice-chairman of Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA), has issued guidelines and instructions to the officials and staff dealing with implementation of Right to Information (RTI) Act provisions for speedy and prompt disposal of applications under RTI. Reviewing the implementation of RTI Act in VUDA on Friday, the vice-chairman directed the officials to attend and dispose of all applications on time with information asked for or with the reason for not providing information. Since the Information Commission has powers to penalise and also impose imprisonment for violation of RTI Act provisions, the vice-chairman advised the officials not to give scope to applicants to approach the Commission by delaying or hiding information that is sought. "For better and prompt implementation of RTI Act, responsibilities have been decentralised and information officers were appointed wing-wise," the vice-chairman said. Accordingly, the head of the wing acts as the appellate authority with one senior officer as Public Information Officer and a junior officer as Assistant Public Information Officer. Mr Yuvaraj asked the officials to acquire complete information on RTI Act provisions for effective implementation and also to avoid complications. "Updating knowledge with decisions of the Centre and State Information Commissions and court judgements with regard to RTI Act provisions makes the implementation process easy," he said. Interacting with the officials, the vice-chairman clarified doubts on various queries raised in the meeting. Appellate Authorities, VUDA secretary GC Kishore Kumar, chief engineer I Viswanatha Rao, chief urban planner RJ Vidyullatha, chief accounts officer D Vijaya Bharathi, estate officer B Bhavani Das, divisional forest officer S Rammohan, Public Information Officers and Assistant Public Information officers attended the meeting.