This news item has been exerpted from http://expressbuzz.com/cities/bangalore/take-the-ring-route-for-filing-rti-queries/200576.html
BANGALORE: Do you fret and fume before filing an application under the Right to Information? Help is on the way. Starting October 1, you might just be able to pick up the phone to demand information.
The department of egovernance is planning to start a 40seater call center which will take calls from RTI applicants and forward the application on their behalf.
The service, a first of its kind initiative by the state government, will be available throughout Karnataka. Bihar is the only state in the country that allows RTI applications via telephone.
The egovernance department has floated a request for proposal (RFP) seeking interest from companies that provide such services. According to MN Vidyashankar, Principal Secretary, department of egovernance, the department has plans to take the project live on October 1. “The October 1 deadline is achievable because call center infrastructure is plenty in Bangalore and does not take long to set up. Only the process needs to be finalized,” he added. Calls to RTI line will be charged. The rates, however, have not been fixed. “Rates will be finalized in consultation with the RTI commission,” he said.
“The services will eliminate the need to shuttle between various offices in search of the Public Information Officer. It will make the whole process simpler and more transparent,” he said. RTI activists, however, are not that hopeful.
State Information Commissioner H N Krishna says that there could be a few teething problems. “Processing centers at district levels might not be technologically uptodate. Fee payment could be another problem.”
Ravindra Nath Guru, Convenor, Karnataka RTI Act Katte agrees. “Most of the officials don’t even have an email address. Is it feasible? Is Karnataka even ready for it?”
“The Jankaari RTI call centers launched in Bihar were a failure. The BBMP call center which was opened to take in complaints of building byelaw violations also failed. They had to shut shop within seven months of opening,” said Guru.