Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 73
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Code Context


        trigger_error($message, E_USER_DEPRECATED);

    }
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 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php.'
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deprecationWarning - CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311
Cake\Http\ServerRequest::offsetGet() - CORE/src/Http/ServerRequest.php, line 2421
App\Controller\ArtileDetailController::printArticle() - APP/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line 73
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Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 120
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Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
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Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
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Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Error\Middleware\ErrorHandlerMiddleware::__invoke() - CORE/src/Error/Middleware/ErrorHandlerMiddleware.php, line 96
Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Http\Runner::run() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 51
Cake\Http\Server::run() - CORE/src/Http/Server.php, line 98

Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 74
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Code Context


        trigger_error($message, E_USER_DEPRECATED);

    }
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 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php.'
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deprecationWarning - CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311
Cake\Http\ServerRequest::offsetGet() - CORE/src/Http/ServerRequest.php, line 2421
App\Controller\ArtileDetailController::printArticle() - APP/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line 74
Cake\Controller\Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/src/Controller/Controller.php, line 610
Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 120
Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 94
Cake\Http\BaseApplication::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/BaseApplication.php, line 235
Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Routing\Middleware\RoutingMiddleware::__invoke() - CORE/src/Routing/Middleware/RoutingMiddleware.php, line 162
Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Routing\Middleware\AssetMiddleware::__invoke() - CORE/src/Routing/Middleware/AssetMiddleware.php, line 88
Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Error\Middleware\ErrorHandlerMiddleware::__invoke() - CORE/src/Error/Middleware/ErrorHandlerMiddleware.php, line 96
Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Http\Runner::run() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 51
Cake\Http\Server::run() - CORE/src/Http/Server.php, line 98

Warning (512): Unable to emit headers. Headers sent in file=/home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php line=853 [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 48]
Code Context
            if (Configure::read('debug')) {

                trigger_error($message, E_USER_WARNING);

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</span></span></code>
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</span></span></code></pre><pre id="cakeErr67eff42411edb-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$viewFile = &#039;/home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Template/Layout/printlayout.ctp&#039;
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-Hindustan Times&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;A 6% fall between 2015-16 and 2016-17 was reported in RTI applications filed with the 1,950 public authorities of the Central government, which receives maximum information applications followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
The right to information law meant to empower Indians and bring transparency in governance appeared to be losing steam with the number of queries going down mainly because of stone-walling of information by officials and slow disposal of appeals, studies based on government data show.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The trend, activists say, is a blow to the concept of a &amp;ldquo;vibrant democracy&amp;rdquo;.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The information watchdog, the Central Information Commission (CIC), in a report released in March, said the number of applications seeking information from Central government departments has gone down for the first time since the groundbreaking law was enacted in 2005.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
A 6% fall between 2015-16 and 2016-17 was reported in RTI applications filed with the 1,950 public authorities of the Central government, which receives maximum information applications followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;ldquo;This trend is worrying because people are increasingly finding that getting information from the government is becoming difficult,&amp;rdquo; said Shailesh Gandhi, a former central information commissioner. There are multiple reasons for the trend.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
RTI users say the first roadblock in most cases are the information officers, who either don&amp;rsquo;t respond or provide incomplete information.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;ldquo;Earlier, we were scared,&amp;rdquo; said an information officer with a Central government department, adding they have realised now that taking action against them for not providing information is a &amp;ldquo;long drawn&amp;rdquo; process.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The applicant will first have to file an appeal with the first appellate authority, an officer senior to the information provider in the same department. Only after the authority had decided on appeal, a second appeal can be lodged with the information commission. The RTI users say by the time information commissions decided on an appeal &amp;mdash; average of two to five years &amp;mdash; the information officer is transferred out.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Government data from the CIC and other information commissions show that penalty imposed on errant officers for not responding on time or providing incomplete information was going down.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;ldquo;Our analysis shows that penalty is imposed in just 4% of appeals where it can be done,&amp;rdquo; said Venkatesh Nayak, a programme coordinator with the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI). &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Please &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/how-rti-is-dying-a-slow-death-in-india/story-sTpdC63K7s42vxgV1bxwTI.html&quot;&gt;click here&lt;/a&gt; to read more. &lt;br /&gt;
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-Hindustan Times

A 6% fall between 2015-16 and 2016-17 was reported in RTI applications filed with the 1,950 public authorities of the Central government, which receives maximum information applications followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.

The right to information law meant to empower...&#039;,
	&#039;disp&#039; =&gt; &#039;&lt;div align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;-Hindustan Times&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;A 6% fall between 2015-16 and 2016-17 was reported in RTI applications filed with the 1,950 public authorities of the Central government, which receives maximum information applications followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The right to information law meant to empower Indians and bring transparency in governance appeared to be losing steam with the number of queries going down mainly because of stone-walling of information by officials and slow disposal of appeals, studies based on government data show.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The trend, activists say, is a blow to the concept of a &amp;ldquo;vibrant democracy&amp;rdquo;.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The information watchdog, the Central Information Commission (CIC), in a report released in March, said the number of applications seeking information from Central government departments has gone down for the first time since the groundbreaking law was enacted in 2005.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;A 6% fall between 2015-16 and 2016-17 was reported in RTI applications filed with the 1,950 public authorities of the Central government, which receives maximum information applications followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&amp;ldquo;This trend is worrying because people are increasingly finding that getting information from the government is becoming difficult,&amp;rdquo; said Shailesh Gandhi, a former central information commissioner. There are multiple reasons for the trend.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;RTI users say the first roadblock in most cases are the information officers, who either don&amp;rsquo;t respond or provide incomplete information.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&amp;ldquo;Earlier, we were scared,&amp;rdquo; said an information officer with a Central government department, adding they have realised now that taking action against them for not providing information is a &amp;ldquo;long drawn&amp;rdquo; process.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The applicant will first have to file an appeal with the first appellate authority, an officer senior to the information provider in the same department. Only after the authority had decided on appeal, a second appeal can be lodged with the information commission. The RTI users say by the time information commissions decided on an appeal &amp;mdash; average of two to five years &amp;mdash; the information officer is transferred out.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Government data from the CIC and other information commissions show that penalty imposed on errant officers for not responding on time or providing incomplete information was going down.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&amp;ldquo;Our analysis shows that penalty is imposed in just 4% of appeals where it can be done,&amp;rdquo; said Venkatesh Nayak, a programme coordinator with the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI). &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Please &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/how-rti-is-dying-a-slow-death-in-india/story-sTpdC63K7s42vxgV1bxwTI.html&quot; title=&quot;https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/how-rti-is-dying-a-slow-death-in-india/story-sTpdC63K7s42vxgV1bxwTI.html&quot;&gt;click here&lt;/a&gt; to read more. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&#039;,
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&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;A 6% fall between 2015-16 and 2016-17 was reported in RTI applications filed with the 1,950 public authorities of the Central government, which receives maximum information applications followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
The right to information law meant to empower Indians and bring transparency in governance appeared to be losing steam with the number of queries going down mainly because of stone-walling of information by officials and slow disposal of appeals, studies based on government data show.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The trend, activists say, is a blow to the concept of a &amp;ldquo;vibrant democracy&amp;rdquo;.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The information watchdog, the Central Information Commission (CIC), in a report released in March, said the number of applications seeking information from Central government departments has gone down for the first time since the groundbreaking law was enacted in 2005.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
A 6% fall between 2015-16 and 2016-17 was reported in RTI applications filed with the 1,950 public authorities of the Central government, which receives maximum information applications followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;ldquo;This trend is worrying because people are increasingly finding that getting information from the government is becoming difficult,&amp;rdquo; said Shailesh Gandhi, a former central information commissioner. There are multiple reasons for the trend.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
RTI users say the first roadblock in most cases are the information officers, who either don&amp;rsquo;t respond or provide incomplete information.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;ldquo;Earlier, we were scared,&amp;rdquo; said an information officer with a Central government department, adding they have realised now that taking action against them for not providing information is a &amp;ldquo;long drawn&amp;rdquo; process.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The applicant will first have to file an appeal with the first appellate authority, an officer senior to the information provider in the same department. Only after the authority had decided on appeal, a second appeal can be lodged with the information commission. The RTI users say by the time information commissions decided on an appeal &amp;mdash; average of two to five years &amp;mdash; the information officer is transferred out.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Government data from the CIC and other information commissions show that penalty imposed on errant officers for not responding on time or providing incomplete information was going down.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;ldquo;Our analysis shows that penalty is imposed in just 4% of appeals where it can be done,&amp;rdquo; said Venkatesh Nayak, a programme coordinator with the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI). &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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-Hindustan Times

A 6% fall between 2015-16 and 2016-17 was reported in RTI applications filed with the 1,950 public authorities of the Central government, which receives maximum information applications followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.

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-Hindustan Times

A 6% fall between 2015-16 and 2016-17 was reported in RTI applications filed with the 1,950 public authorities of the Central government, which receives maximum information applications followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.

The right to information law meant to empower..."/>
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                <strong>How RTI Act is dying a slow death in India -Chetan Chauhan</strong></h1>
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                <div align="justify">-Hindustan Times<br /><br /><em>A 6% fall between 2015-16 and 2016-17 was reported in RTI applications filed with the 1,950 public authorities of the Central government, which receives maximum information applications followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.<br /></em><br />The right to information law meant to empower Indians and bring transparency in governance appeared to be losing steam with the number of queries going down mainly because of stone-walling of information by officials and slow disposal of appeals, studies based on government data show.<br /><br />The trend, activists say, is a blow to the concept of a &ldquo;vibrant democracy&rdquo;.<br /><br />The information watchdog, the Central Information Commission (CIC), in a report released in March, said the number of applications seeking information from Central government departments has gone down for the first time since the groundbreaking law was enacted in 2005.<br /><br />A 6% fall between 2015-16 and 2016-17 was reported in RTI applications filed with the 1,950 public authorities of the Central government, which receives maximum information applications followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.<br /><br />&ldquo;This trend is worrying because people are increasingly finding that getting information from the government is becoming difficult,&rdquo; said Shailesh Gandhi, a former central information commissioner. There are multiple reasons for the trend.<br /><br />RTI users say the first roadblock in most cases are the information officers, who either don&rsquo;t respond or provide incomplete information.<br /><br />&ldquo;Earlier, we were scared,&rdquo; said an information officer with a Central government department, adding they have realised now that taking action against them for not providing information is a &ldquo;long drawn&rdquo; process.<br /><br />The applicant will first have to file an appeal with the first appellate authority, an officer senior to the information provider in the same department. Only after the authority had decided on appeal, a second appeal can be lodged with the information commission. The RTI users say by the time information commissions decided on an appeal &mdash; average of two to five years &mdash; the information officer is transferred out.<br /><br />Government data from the CIC and other information commissions show that penalty imposed on errant officers for not responding on time or providing incomplete information was going down.<br /><br />&ldquo;Our analysis shows that penalty is imposed in just 4% of appeals where it can be done,&rdquo; said Venkatesh Nayak, a programme coordinator with the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI). <br /><br />Please <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/how-rti-is-dying-a-slow-death-in-india/story-sTpdC63K7s42vxgV1bxwTI.html" title="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/how-rti-is-dying-a-slow-death-in-india/story-sTpdC63K7s42vxgV1bxwTI.html">click here</a> to read more. <br /></div>               </font>
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-Hindustan Times&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;A 6% fall between 2015-16 and 2016-17 was reported in RTI applications filed with the 1,950 public authorities of the Central government, which receives maximum information applications followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
The right to information law meant to empower Indians and bring transparency in governance appeared to be losing steam with the number of queries going down mainly because of stone-walling of information by officials and slow disposal of appeals, studies based on government data show.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The trend, activists say, is a blow to the concept of a &amp;ldquo;vibrant democracy&amp;rdquo;.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The information watchdog, the Central Information Commission (CIC), in a report released in March, said the number of applications seeking information from Central government departments has gone down for the first time since the groundbreaking law was enacted in 2005.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
A 6% fall between 2015-16 and 2016-17 was reported in RTI applications filed with the 1,950 public authorities of the Central government, which receives maximum information applications followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;ldquo;This trend is worrying because people are increasingly finding that getting information from the government is becoming difficult,&amp;rdquo; said Shailesh Gandhi, a former central information commissioner. There are multiple reasons for the trend.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
RTI users say the first roadblock in most cases are the information officers, who either don&amp;rsquo;t respond or provide incomplete information.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;ldquo;Earlier, we were scared,&amp;rdquo; said an information officer with a Central government department, adding they have realised now that taking action against them for not providing information is a &amp;ldquo;long drawn&amp;rdquo; process.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The applicant will first have to file an appeal with the first appellate authority, an officer senior to the information provider in the same department. Only after the authority had decided on appeal, a second appeal can be lodged with the information commission. The RTI users say by the time information commissions decided on an appeal &amp;mdash; average of two to five years &amp;mdash; the information officer is transferred out.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Government data from the CIC and other information commissions show that penalty imposed on errant officers for not responding on time or providing incomplete information was going down.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;ldquo;Our analysis shows that penalty is imposed in just 4% of appeals where it can be done,&amp;rdquo; said Venkatesh Nayak, a programme coordinator with the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI). &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Please &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/how-rti-is-dying-a-slow-death-in-india/story-sTpdC63K7s42vxgV1bxwTI.html&quot;&gt;click here&lt;/a&gt; to read more. &lt;br /&gt;
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-Hindustan Times

A 6% fall between 2015-16 and 2016-17 was reported in RTI applications filed with the 1,950 public authorities of the Central government, which receives maximum information applications followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.

The right to information law meant to empower...&#039;,
	&#039;disp&#039; =&gt; &#039;&lt;div align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;-Hindustan Times&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;A 6% fall between 2015-16 and 2016-17 was reported in RTI applications filed with the 1,950 public authorities of the Central government, which receives maximum information applications followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The right to information law meant to empower Indians and bring transparency in governance appeared to be losing steam with the number of queries going down mainly because of stone-walling of information by officials and slow disposal of appeals, studies based on government data show.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The trend, activists say, is a blow to the concept of a &amp;ldquo;vibrant democracy&amp;rdquo;.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The information watchdog, the Central Information Commission (CIC), in a report released in March, said the number of applications seeking information from Central government departments has gone down for the first time since the groundbreaking law was enacted in 2005.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;A 6% fall between 2015-16 and 2016-17 was reported in RTI applications filed with the 1,950 public authorities of the Central government, which receives maximum information applications followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&amp;ldquo;This trend is worrying because people are increasingly finding that getting information from the government is becoming difficult,&amp;rdquo; said Shailesh Gandhi, a former central information commissioner. There are multiple reasons for the trend.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;RTI users say the first roadblock in most cases are the information officers, who either don&amp;rsquo;t respond or provide incomplete information.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&amp;ldquo;Earlier, we were scared,&amp;rdquo; said an information officer with a Central government department, adding they have realised now that taking action against them for not providing information is a &amp;ldquo;long drawn&amp;rdquo; process.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The applicant will first have to file an appeal with the first appellate authority, an officer senior to the information provider in the same department. Only after the authority had decided on appeal, a second appeal can be lodged with the information commission. The RTI users say by the time information commissions decided on an appeal &amp;mdash; average of two to five years &amp;mdash; the information officer is transferred out.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Government data from the CIC and other information commissions show that penalty imposed on errant officers for not responding on time or providing incomplete information was going down.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&amp;ldquo;Our analysis shows that penalty is imposed in just 4% of appeals where it can be done,&amp;rdquo; said Venkatesh Nayak, a programme coordinator with the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI). &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Please &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/how-rti-is-dying-a-slow-death-in-india/story-sTpdC63K7s42vxgV1bxwTI.html&quot; title=&quot;https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/how-rti-is-dying-a-slow-death-in-india/story-sTpdC63K7s42vxgV1bxwTI.html&quot;&gt;click here&lt;/a&gt; to read more. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&#039;,
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-Hindustan Times&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;A 6% fall between 2015-16 and 2016-17 was reported in RTI applications filed with the 1,950 public authorities of the Central government, which receives maximum information applications followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
The right to information law meant to empower Indians and bring transparency in governance appeared to be losing steam with the number of queries going down mainly because of stone-walling of information by officials and slow disposal of appeals, studies based on government data show.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The trend, activists say, is a blow to the concept of a &amp;ldquo;vibrant democracy&amp;rdquo;.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The information watchdog, the Central Information Commission (CIC), in a report released in March, said the number of applications seeking information from Central government departments has gone down for the first time since the groundbreaking law was enacted in 2005.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
A 6% fall between 2015-16 and 2016-17 was reported in RTI applications filed with the 1,950 public authorities of the Central government, which receives maximum information applications followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;ldquo;This trend is worrying because people are increasingly finding that getting information from the government is becoming difficult,&amp;rdquo; said Shailesh Gandhi, a former central information commissioner. There are multiple reasons for the trend.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
RTI users say the first roadblock in most cases are the information officers, who either don&amp;rsquo;t respond or provide incomplete information.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;ldquo;Earlier, we were scared,&amp;rdquo; said an information officer with a Central government department, adding they have realised now that taking action against them for not providing information is a &amp;ldquo;long drawn&amp;rdquo; process.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The applicant will first have to file an appeal with the first appellate authority, an officer senior to the information provider in the same department. Only after the authority had decided on appeal, a second appeal can be lodged with the information commission. The RTI users say by the time information commissions decided on an appeal &amp;mdash; average of two to five years &amp;mdash; the information officer is transferred out.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Government data from the CIC and other information commissions show that penalty imposed on errant officers for not responding on time or providing incomplete information was going down.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;ldquo;Our analysis shows that penalty is imposed in just 4% of appeals where it can be done,&amp;rdquo; said Venkatesh Nayak, a programme coordinator with the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI). &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Please &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/how-rti-is-dying-a-slow-death-in-india/story-sTpdC63K7s42vxgV1bxwTI.html&quot;&gt;click here&lt;/a&gt; to read more. &lt;br /&gt;
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-Hindustan Times

A 6% fall between 2015-16 and 2016-17 was reported in RTI applications filed with the 1,950 public authorities of the Central government, which receives maximum information applications followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.

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-Hindustan Times

A 6% fall between 2015-16 and 2016-17 was reported in RTI applications filed with the 1,950 public authorities of the Central government, which receives maximum information applications followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.

The right to information law meant to empower..."/>
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                <strong>How RTI Act is dying a slow death in India -Chetan Chauhan</strong></h1>
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                <div align="justify">-Hindustan Times<br /><br /><em>A 6% fall between 2015-16 and 2016-17 was reported in RTI applications filed with the 1,950 public authorities of the Central government, which receives maximum information applications followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.<br /></em><br />The right to information law meant to empower Indians and bring transparency in governance appeared to be losing steam with the number of queries going down mainly because of stone-walling of information by officials and slow disposal of appeals, studies based on government data show.<br /><br />The trend, activists say, is a blow to the concept of a &ldquo;vibrant democracy&rdquo;.<br /><br />The information watchdog, the Central Information Commission (CIC), in a report released in March, said the number of applications seeking information from Central government departments has gone down for the first time since the groundbreaking law was enacted in 2005.<br /><br />A 6% fall between 2015-16 and 2016-17 was reported in RTI applications filed with the 1,950 public authorities of the Central government, which receives maximum information applications followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.<br /><br />&ldquo;This trend is worrying because people are increasingly finding that getting information from the government is becoming difficult,&rdquo; said Shailesh Gandhi, a former central information commissioner. There are multiple reasons for the trend.<br /><br />RTI users say the first roadblock in most cases are the information officers, who either don&rsquo;t respond or provide incomplete information.<br /><br />&ldquo;Earlier, we were scared,&rdquo; said an information officer with a Central government department, adding they have realised now that taking action against them for not providing information is a &ldquo;long drawn&rdquo; process.<br /><br />The applicant will first have to file an appeal with the first appellate authority, an officer senior to the information provider in the same department. Only after the authority had decided on appeal, a second appeal can be lodged with the information commission. The RTI users say by the time information commissions decided on an appeal &mdash; average of two to five years &mdash; the information officer is transferred out.<br /><br />Government data from the CIC and other information commissions show that penalty imposed on errant officers for not responding on time or providing incomplete information was going down.<br /><br />&ldquo;Our analysis shows that penalty is imposed in just 4% of appeals where it can be done,&rdquo; said Venkatesh Nayak, a programme coordinator with the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI). <br /><br />Please <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/how-rti-is-dying-a-slow-death-in-india/story-sTpdC63K7s42vxgV1bxwTI.html" title="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/how-rti-is-dying-a-slow-death-in-india/story-sTpdC63K7s42vxgV1bxwTI.html">click here</a> to read more. <br /></div>               </font>
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-Hindustan Times&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;A 6% fall between 2015-16 and 2016-17 was reported in RTI applications filed with the 1,950 public authorities of the Central government, which receives maximum information applications followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
The right to information law meant to empower Indians and bring transparency in governance appeared to be losing steam with the number of queries going down mainly because of stone-walling of information by officials and slow disposal of appeals, studies based on government data show.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The trend, activists say, is a blow to the concept of a &amp;ldquo;vibrant democracy&amp;rdquo;.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The information watchdog, the Central Information Commission (CIC), in a report released in March, said the number of applications seeking information from Central government departments has gone down for the first time since the groundbreaking law was enacted in 2005.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
A 6% fall between 2015-16 and 2016-17 was reported in RTI applications filed with the 1,950 public authorities of the Central government, which receives maximum information applications followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;ldquo;This trend is worrying because people are increasingly finding that getting information from the government is becoming difficult,&amp;rdquo; said Shailesh Gandhi, a former central information commissioner. There are multiple reasons for the trend.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
RTI users say the first roadblock in most cases are the information officers, who either don&amp;rsquo;t respond or provide incomplete information.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;ldquo;Earlier, we were scared,&amp;rdquo; said an information officer with a Central government department, adding they have realised now that taking action against them for not providing information is a &amp;ldquo;long drawn&amp;rdquo; process.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The applicant will first have to file an appeal with the first appellate authority, an officer senior to the information provider in the same department. Only after the authority had decided on appeal, a second appeal can be lodged with the information commission. The RTI users say by the time information commissions decided on an appeal &amp;mdash; average of two to five years &amp;mdash; the information officer is transferred out.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Government data from the CIC and other information commissions show that penalty imposed on errant officers for not responding on time or providing incomplete information was going down.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;ldquo;Our analysis shows that penalty is imposed in just 4% of appeals where it can be done,&amp;rdquo; said Venkatesh Nayak, a programme coordinator with the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI). &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Please &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/how-rti-is-dying-a-slow-death-in-india/story-sTpdC63K7s42vxgV1bxwTI.html&quot;&gt;click here&lt;/a&gt; to read more. &lt;br /&gt;
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-Hindustan Times

A 6% fall between 2015-16 and 2016-17 was reported in RTI applications filed with the 1,950 public authorities of the Central government, which receives maximum information applications followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.

The right to information law meant to empower...&#039;,
	&#039;disp&#039; =&gt; &#039;&lt;div align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;-Hindustan Times&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;A 6% fall between 2015-16 and 2016-17 was reported in RTI applications filed with the 1,950 public authorities of the Central government, which receives maximum information applications followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The right to information law meant to empower Indians and bring transparency in governance appeared to be losing steam with the number of queries going down mainly because of stone-walling of information by officials and slow disposal of appeals, studies based on government data show.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The trend, activists say, is a blow to the concept of a &amp;ldquo;vibrant democracy&amp;rdquo;.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The information watchdog, the Central Information Commission (CIC), in a report released in March, said the number of applications seeking information from Central government departments has gone down for the first time since the groundbreaking law was enacted in 2005.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;A 6% fall between 2015-16 and 2016-17 was reported in RTI applications filed with the 1,950 public authorities of the Central government, which receives maximum information applications followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&amp;ldquo;This trend is worrying because people are increasingly finding that getting information from the government is becoming difficult,&amp;rdquo; said Shailesh Gandhi, a former central information commissioner. There are multiple reasons for the trend.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;RTI users say the first roadblock in most cases are the information officers, who either don&amp;rsquo;t respond or provide incomplete information.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&amp;ldquo;Earlier, we were scared,&amp;rdquo; said an information officer with a Central government department, adding they have realised now that taking action against them for not providing information is a &amp;ldquo;long drawn&amp;rdquo; process.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The applicant will first have to file an appeal with the first appellate authority, an officer senior to the information provider in the same department. Only after the authority had decided on appeal, a second appeal can be lodged with the information commission. The RTI users say by the time information commissions decided on an appeal &amp;mdash; average of two to five years &amp;mdash; the information officer is transferred out.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Government data from the CIC and other information commissions show that penalty imposed on errant officers for not responding on time or providing incomplete information was going down.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&amp;ldquo;Our analysis shows that penalty is imposed in just 4% of appeals where it can be done,&amp;rdquo; said Venkatesh Nayak, a programme coordinator with the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI). &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Please &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/how-rti-is-dying-a-slow-death-in-india/story-sTpdC63K7s42vxgV1bxwTI.html&quot; title=&quot;https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/how-rti-is-dying-a-slow-death-in-india/story-sTpdC63K7s42vxgV1bxwTI.html&quot;&gt;click here&lt;/a&gt; to read more. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&#039;,
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-Hindustan Times&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;A 6% fall between 2015-16 and 2016-17 was reported in RTI applications filed with the 1,950 public authorities of the Central government, which receives maximum information applications followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
The right to information law meant to empower Indians and bring transparency in governance appeared to be losing steam with the number of queries going down mainly because of stone-walling of information by officials and slow disposal of appeals, studies based on government data show.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The trend, activists say, is a blow to the concept of a &amp;ldquo;vibrant democracy&amp;rdquo;.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The information watchdog, the Central Information Commission (CIC), in a report released in March, said the number of applications seeking information from Central government departments has gone down for the first time since the groundbreaking law was enacted in 2005.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
A 6% fall between 2015-16 and 2016-17 was reported in RTI applications filed with the 1,950 public authorities of the Central government, which receives maximum information applications followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;ldquo;This trend is worrying because people are increasingly finding that getting information from the government is becoming difficult,&amp;rdquo; said Shailesh Gandhi, a former central information commissioner. There are multiple reasons for the trend.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
RTI users say the first roadblock in most cases are the information officers, who either don&amp;rsquo;t respond or provide incomplete information.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;ldquo;Earlier, we were scared,&amp;rdquo; said an information officer with a Central government department, adding they have realised now that taking action against them for not providing information is a &amp;ldquo;long drawn&amp;rdquo; process.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The applicant will first have to file an appeal with the first appellate authority, an officer senior to the information provider in the same department. Only after the authority had decided on appeal, a second appeal can be lodged with the information commission. The RTI users say by the time information commissions decided on an appeal &amp;mdash; average of two to five years &amp;mdash; the information officer is transferred out.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Government data from the CIC and other information commissions show that penalty imposed on errant officers for not responding on time or providing incomplete information was going down.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;ldquo;Our analysis shows that penalty is imposed in just 4% of appeals where it can be done,&amp;rdquo; said Venkatesh Nayak, a programme coordinator with the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI). &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Please &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/how-rti-is-dying-a-slow-death-in-india/story-sTpdC63K7s42vxgV1bxwTI.html&quot;&gt;click here&lt;/a&gt; to read more. &lt;br /&gt;
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-Hindustan Times

A 6% fall between 2015-16 and 2016-17 was reported in RTI applications filed with the 1,950 public authorities of the Central government, which receives maximum information applications followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.

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-Hindustan Times

A 6% fall between 2015-16 and 2016-17 was reported in RTI applications filed with the 1,950 public authorities of the Central government, which receives maximum information applications followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.

The right to information law meant to empower..."/>
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                <strong>How RTI Act is dying a slow death in India -Chetan Chauhan</strong></h1>
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                <div align="justify">-Hindustan Times<br /><br /><em>A 6% fall between 2015-16 and 2016-17 was reported in RTI applications filed with the 1,950 public authorities of the Central government, which receives maximum information applications followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.<br /></em><br />The right to information law meant to empower Indians and bring transparency in governance appeared to be losing steam with the number of queries going down mainly because of stone-walling of information by officials and slow disposal of appeals, studies based on government data show.<br /><br />The trend, activists say, is a blow to the concept of a &ldquo;vibrant democracy&rdquo;.<br /><br />The information watchdog, the Central Information Commission (CIC), in a report released in March, said the number of applications seeking information from Central government departments has gone down for the first time since the groundbreaking law was enacted in 2005.<br /><br />A 6% fall between 2015-16 and 2016-17 was reported in RTI applications filed with the 1,950 public authorities of the Central government, which receives maximum information applications followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.<br /><br />&ldquo;This trend is worrying because people are increasingly finding that getting information from the government is becoming difficult,&rdquo; said Shailesh Gandhi, a former central information commissioner. There are multiple reasons for the trend.<br /><br />RTI users say the first roadblock in most cases are the information officers, who either don&rsquo;t respond or provide incomplete information.<br /><br />&ldquo;Earlier, we were scared,&rdquo; said an information officer with a Central government department, adding they have realised now that taking action against them for not providing information is a &ldquo;long drawn&rdquo; process.<br /><br />The applicant will first have to file an appeal with the first appellate authority, an officer senior to the information provider in the same department. Only after the authority had decided on appeal, a second appeal can be lodged with the information commission. The RTI users say by the time information commissions decided on an appeal &mdash; average of two to five years &mdash; the information officer is transferred out.<br /><br />Government data from the CIC and other information commissions show that penalty imposed on errant officers for not responding on time or providing incomplete information was going down.<br /><br />&ldquo;Our analysis shows that penalty is imposed in just 4% of appeals where it can be done,&rdquo; said Venkatesh Nayak, a programme coordinator with the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI). <br /><br />Please <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/how-rti-is-dying-a-slow-death-in-india/story-sTpdC63K7s42vxgV1bxwTI.html" title="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/how-rti-is-dying-a-slow-death-in-india/story-sTpdC63K7s42vxgV1bxwTI.html">click here</a> to read more. <br /></div>               </font>
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-Hindustan Times<br />
<br />
<em>A 6% fall between 2015-16 and 2016-17 was reported in RTI applications filed with the 1,950 public authorities of the Central government, which receives maximum information applications followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.<br />
</em><br />
The right to information law meant to empower Indians and bring transparency in governance appeared to be losing steam with the number of queries going down mainly because of stone-walling of information by officials and slow disposal of appeals, studies based on government data show.<br />
<br />
The trend, activists say, is a blow to the concept of a &ldquo;vibrant democracy&rdquo;.<br />
<br />
The information watchdog, the Central Information Commission (CIC), in a report released in March, said the number of applications seeking information from Central government departments has gone down for the first time since the groundbreaking law was enacted in 2005.<br />
<br />
A 6% fall between 2015-16 and 2016-17 was reported in RTI applications filed with the 1,950 public authorities of the Central government, which receives maximum information applications followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.<br />
<br />
&ldquo;This trend is worrying because people are increasingly finding that getting information from the government is becoming difficult,&rdquo; said Shailesh Gandhi, a former central information commissioner. There are multiple reasons for the trend.<br />
<br />
RTI users say the first roadblock in most cases are the information officers, who either don&rsquo;t respond or provide incomplete information.<br />
<br />
&ldquo;Earlier, we were scared,&rdquo; said an information officer with a Central government department, adding they have realised now that taking action against them for not providing information is a &ldquo;long drawn&rdquo; process.<br />
<br />
The applicant will first have to file an appeal with the first appellate authority, an officer senior to the information provider in the same department. Only after the authority had decided on appeal, a second appeal can be lodged with the information commission. The RTI users say by the time information commissions decided on an appeal &mdash; average of two to five years &mdash; the information officer is transferred out.<br />
<br />
Government data from the CIC and other information commissions show that penalty imposed on errant officers for not responding on time or providing incomplete information was going down.<br />
<br />
&ldquo;Our analysis shows that penalty is imposed in just 4% of appeals where it can be done,&rdquo; said Venkatesh Nayak, a programme coordinator with the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI). <br />
<br />
Please <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/how-rti-is-dying-a-slow-death-in-india/story-sTpdC63K7s42vxgV1bxwTI.html">click here</a> to read more. <br />
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-Hindustan Times

A 6% fall between 2015-16 and 2016-17 was reported in RTI applications filed with the 1,950 public authorities of the Central government, which receives maximum information applications followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.

The right to information law meant to empower...',
	'disp' => '<div align="justify">-Hindustan Times<br /><br /><em>A 6% fall between 2015-16 and 2016-17 was reported in RTI applications filed with the 1,950 public authorities of the Central government, which receives maximum information applications followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.<br /></em><br />The right to information law meant to empower Indians and bring transparency in governance appeared to be losing steam with the number of queries going down mainly because of stone-walling of information by officials and slow disposal of appeals, studies based on government data show.<br /><br />The trend, activists say, is a blow to the concept of a &ldquo;vibrant democracy&rdquo;.<br /><br />The information watchdog, the Central Information Commission (CIC), in a report released in March, said the number of applications seeking information from Central government departments has gone down for the first time since the groundbreaking law was enacted in 2005.<br /><br />A 6% fall between 2015-16 and 2016-17 was reported in RTI applications filed with the 1,950 public authorities of the Central government, which receives maximum information applications followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.<br /><br />&ldquo;This trend is worrying because people are increasingly finding that getting information from the government is becoming difficult,&rdquo; said Shailesh Gandhi, a former central information commissioner. There are multiple reasons for the trend.<br /><br />RTI users say the first roadblock in most cases are the information officers, who either don&rsquo;t respond or provide incomplete information.<br /><br />&ldquo;Earlier, we were scared,&rdquo; said an information officer with a Central government department, adding they have realised now that taking action against them for not providing information is a &ldquo;long drawn&rdquo; process.<br /><br />The applicant will first have to file an appeal with the first appellate authority, an officer senior to the information provider in the same department. Only after the authority had decided on appeal, a second appeal can be lodged with the information commission. The RTI users say by the time information commissions decided on an appeal &mdash; average of two to five years &mdash; the information officer is transferred out.<br /><br />Government data from the CIC and other information commissions show that penalty imposed on errant officers for not responding on time or providing incomplete information was going down.<br /><br />&ldquo;Our analysis shows that penalty is imposed in just 4% of appeals where it can be done,&rdquo; said Venkatesh Nayak, a programme coordinator with the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI). <br /><br />Please <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/how-rti-is-dying-a-slow-death-in-india/story-sTpdC63K7s42vxgV1bxwTI.html" title="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/how-rti-is-dying-a-slow-death-in-india/story-sTpdC63K7s42vxgV1bxwTI.html">click here</a> to read more. <br /></div>',
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-Hindustan Times<br />
<br />
<em>A 6% fall between 2015-16 and 2016-17 was reported in RTI applications filed with the 1,950 public authorities of the Central government, which receives maximum information applications followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.<br />
</em><br />
The right to information law meant to empower Indians and bring transparency in governance appeared to be losing steam with the number of queries going down mainly because of stone-walling of information by officials and slow disposal of appeals, studies based on government data show.<br />
<br />
The trend, activists say, is a blow to the concept of a &ldquo;vibrant democracy&rdquo;.<br />
<br />
The information watchdog, the Central Information Commission (CIC), in a report released in March, said the number of applications seeking information from Central government departments has gone down for the first time since the groundbreaking law was enacted in 2005.<br />
<br />
A 6% fall between 2015-16 and 2016-17 was reported in RTI applications filed with the 1,950 public authorities of the Central government, which receives maximum information applications followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.<br />
<br />
&ldquo;This trend is worrying because people are increasingly finding that getting information from the government is becoming difficult,&rdquo; said Shailesh Gandhi, a former central information commissioner. There are multiple reasons for the trend.<br />
<br />
RTI users say the first roadblock in most cases are the information officers, who either don&rsquo;t respond or provide incomplete information.<br />
<br />
&ldquo;Earlier, we were scared,&rdquo; said an information officer with a Central government department, adding they have realised now that taking action against them for not providing information is a &ldquo;long drawn&rdquo; process.<br />
<br />
The applicant will first have to file an appeal with the first appellate authority, an officer senior to the information provider in the same department. Only after the authority had decided on appeal, a second appeal can be lodged with the information commission. The RTI users say by the time information commissions decided on an appeal &mdash; average of two to five years &mdash; the information officer is transferred out.<br />
<br />
Government data from the CIC and other information commissions show that penalty imposed on errant officers for not responding on time or providing incomplete information was going down.<br />
<br />
&ldquo;Our analysis shows that penalty is imposed in just 4% of appeals where it can be done,&rdquo; said Venkatesh Nayak, a programme coordinator with the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI). <br />
<br />
Please <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/how-rti-is-dying-a-slow-death-in-india/story-sTpdC63K7s42vxgV1bxwTI.html">click here</a> to read more. <br />
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-Hindustan Times

A 6% fall between 2015-16 and 2016-17 was reported in RTI applications filed with the 1,950 public authorities of the Central government, which receives maximum information applications followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.

The right to information law meant to empower...'
$disp = '<div align="justify">-Hindustan Times<br /><br /><em>A 6% fall between 2015-16 and 2016-17 was reported in RTI applications filed with the 1,950 public authorities of the Central government, which receives maximum information applications followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.<br /></em><br />The right to information law meant to empower Indians and bring transparency in governance appeared to be losing steam with the number of queries going down mainly because of stone-walling of information by officials and slow disposal of appeals, studies based on government data show.<br /><br />The trend, activists say, is a blow to the concept of a &ldquo;vibrant democracy&rdquo;.<br /><br />The information watchdog, the Central Information Commission (CIC), in a report released in March, said the number of applications seeking information from Central government departments has gone down for the first time since the groundbreaking law was enacted in 2005.<br /><br />A 6% fall between 2015-16 and 2016-17 was reported in RTI applications filed with the 1,950 public authorities of the Central government, which receives maximum information applications followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.<br /><br />&ldquo;This trend is worrying because people are increasingly finding that getting information from the government is becoming difficult,&rdquo; said Shailesh Gandhi, a former central information commissioner. There are multiple reasons for the trend.<br /><br />RTI users say the first roadblock in most cases are the information officers, who either don&rsquo;t respond or provide incomplete information.<br /><br />&ldquo;Earlier, we were scared,&rdquo; said an information officer with a Central government department, adding they have realised now that taking action against them for not providing information is a &ldquo;long drawn&rdquo; process.<br /><br />The applicant will first have to file an appeal with the first appellate authority, an officer senior to the information provider in the same department. Only after the authority had decided on appeal, a second appeal can be lodged with the information commission. The RTI users say by the time information commissions decided on an appeal &mdash; average of two to five years &mdash; the information officer is transferred out.<br /><br />Government data from the CIC and other information commissions show that penalty imposed on errant officers for not responding on time or providing incomplete information was going down.<br /><br />&ldquo;Our analysis shows that penalty is imposed in just 4% of appeals where it can be done,&rdquo; said Venkatesh Nayak, a programme coordinator with the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI). <br /><br />Please <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/how-rti-is-dying-a-slow-death-in-india/story-sTpdC63K7s42vxgV1bxwTI.html" title="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/how-rti-is-dying-a-slow-death-in-india/story-sTpdC63K7s42vxgV1bxwTI.html">click here</a> to read more. <br /></div>'
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How RTI Act is dying a slow death in India -Chetan Chauhan

-Hindustan Times A 6% fall between 2015-16 and 2016-17 was reported in RTI applications filed with the 1,950 public authorities of the Central government, which receives maximum information applications followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka. The right to information law meant to empower Indians and bring transparency in governance appeared to be losing steam with the number of queries going down mainly because of stone-walling of information by officials and slow disposal of appeals, studies based on government data show. The trend, activists say, is a blow to the concept of a “vibrant democracy”. The information watchdog, the Central Information Commission (CIC), in a report released in March, said the number of applications seeking information from Central government departments has gone down for the first time since the groundbreaking law was enacted in 2005. A 6% fall between 2015-16 and 2016-17 was reported in RTI applications filed with the 1,950 public authorities of the Central government, which receives maximum information applications followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka. “This trend is worrying because people are increasingly finding that getting information from the government is becoming difficult,” said Shailesh Gandhi, a former central information commissioner. There are multiple reasons for the trend. RTI users say the first roadblock in most cases are the information officers, who either don’t respond or provide incomplete information. “Earlier, we were scared,” said an information officer with a Central government department, adding they have realised now that taking action against them for not providing information is a “long drawn” process. The applicant will first have to file an appeal with the first appellate authority, an officer senior to the information provider in the same department. Only after the authority had decided on appeal, a second appeal can be lodged with the information commission. The RTI users say by the time information commissions decided on an appeal — average of two to five years — the information officer is transferred out. Government data from the CIC and other information commissions show that penalty imposed on errant officers for not responding on time or providing incomplete information was going down. “Our analysis shows that penalty is imposed in just 4% of appeals where it can be done,” said Venkatesh Nayak, a programme coordinator with the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI). Please click here to read more.