"It is hoped the implementation of this technique will be started from September. This will not only help us to save time in moving from place to place but also help the litigant to get justice in a minimum period of time," state RTI commissioner Jagadananda told TOI on Thursday, during his visit to Sambalpur to hold a camp court.
Jagadananda also informed the commission has directed the government to digitize all its records by utilizing the modern technology to make the process of getting information easier. "Apart from this, we have asked the government to instruct various departments to fix up a ‘time limit’ for every work as per the nature and volume of the work," he said.
Expressing concern over the proper utilization of the act , the RTI state commissioner said there is a need of awareness campaigns for people in rural of the state. He said people should accustom themselves with the act, which is a great tool of empowerment.
"Through the act, a citizen of the country is able to get information about any programme undertaken by the government agencies in any part of the country. One can also get information from a private and corporate body by using the act," the commissioner said.
Jagadananda said the commission has penalized about 415 officials of the state by realising a sum of Rs 51 lakh from them for not implementing the act properly. However, he said most of the cases decided by the commission were related to personal problems.
"With proper implementation of the act, in future more whistleblowers can be expected to come forward to make society clean and dirt-free," he said.