The Supreme Court on Monday directed the central government to take a call on accepting Right To Information (RTI) applications through online mode and furnish information accordingly using electronic means.
A bench comprising CJI H L Dattu and A K Sikri asked the authorities to expeditiously decide on a representation filed by Madhya Pradesh-based lawyer Rajeev Agrawal.
“It appears the petitioner has filed the representations with the authorities. It seems, as of now, no decision has been taken. We direct the respondents to take a decision within three weeks,” said the bench. The bench told Agrawal’s lawyer Amit Kumar that it will wait for the government to take a decision and hence, his PIL should be treated as a representation.
The plea sought directives to all states and union territories to create “centralised RTI websites for submission of RTI requests” and allow online filing of appeals and payment of fees in respect of every public authority of the government under the transparency law.
It also asked for constituting “call centre as voice facilitation centres for filing RTI applications and appeals over the phone.” The petition referred to certain provisions of the RTI Act which provide that a person can make a request “in writing or through electronic means” for getting information from authorities under the Act.