Top Punjab bodies yet to enforce RTI law

ISLAMABAD: Transparency in governance and implementation of the much hyped right to information law does not seem to be a top priority in Punjab as top public bodies have yet to implement the Punjab Transparency and Right to Information (RTI) Act 2013.
Under the RTI Law introduced a year ago with the tall promises of transparency and good governance, all the public bodies of Punjab were bound to share vital information about their function with public through appointment of Public Information Officers (PIOs). But even the Information Department of the Punjab Government, which should be a hub of all the information, has not been able to set up its own website to facilitate the public.
Under Section 7 of the law enacted on December 16, 2013, PIOs were to be appointed within 60 days of the introduction of the law. However, according to sources, a large number of public bodies have failed to do so within stipulated time period.
Public bodies have also failed to implement Section 4 of the Act, which requires proactive disclosure of a range of information, including the names and contact details of PIOs. The Services & General Administration Department (S&GAD), which is headed by the Chief Secretary, also lacks a dedicated website and has not yet implemented Section 4 of the Act.
Taking notice of this situation, the Punjab Information Commission has issued a strongly worded circular to all the government departments reminding them that under Section 4 of the RTI Act, they are bound to proactively disclose several categories of information through websites, notice boards or annual publications.
The circular, headed “Urgent”, dated December 22, calls upon public bodies to immediately appoint PIOs. Under the RTI Act, 2013, the public bodies have to share information with the citizens regarding their powers, duties, organization and rules through their websites and publications.
Interestingly, the Punjab Information Commission itself has failed to establish its own website so far to share information about its functions and duties. When contacted, the Chief Information Commissioner, Punjab, Justice (R) Mazhar Hussain Minhas, confirmed that various key departments of Punjab have failed to appoint PIOs within the stipulated time. However, he said more than 600 notifications have been received about appointment of PIOs in various public bodies. He said around 150 PIOs have been given two-day training by the commission so that they can be sensitized about the new law. He confirmed that CM Secretariat have been reminded about the appointment of PIO through a letter.
Talking to The News, Information Commissioner of Punjab Mukhtar Ahmad Ali said the appointment of PIOs is very important as it is one of the first steps in implementation of RTI Act.
He said the commission has reminded all the departments to set up their own websites and implement Section 4 of the Act so that process of information sharing could be made easier not just for citizens but also for public bodies. When asked why the commission does not have its own website, he said the content for the commission’s website has been developed and sent to the Punjab Information Technology Board for technical assistance and the website will soon be launched. He said lack of awareness about the RTI law is a major challenge for the commission and efforts are being made to inform people and train PIOs in collaboration with the Management Professional Development Department (MPDD).He said that despite challenges, progress has been made in terms of designation of over 600 PIOs, training of PIOs, drafting of rules and guidelines, and disposal of complaints. The commission has already resolved more than 350 out of around 750 complaints, despite having no office or staff.