Seeking information is every citizen’s right; transparency in governance is prime objective of RTI Act, says Mahesh Walvekar

Every citizen of the country has a fundamental right to get information on government schemes and works in the public interest under the Right to Information Act, Commissioner of the State Information Commission Mahesh Walvekar said in Yadgir on Saturday.

​He was speaking at an awareness workshop and interactive session on the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, organised for district- and taluk-level officers as well as Gram Panchayat Development Officers (PDOs) at the District Panchayat auditorium.

Noting that the Union government implemented the RTI Act on October 12, 2005, Mr. Walvekar highlighted that the primary goal of the Act is to bring transparency to government functioning. Citizens can use RTI applications to seek information regarding government work, project queries, and certified copies of official orders.

“The public also has the right to inspect government records and files. Every project undertaken by the government falls under the purview of the RTI Act,” Mr. Walvekar emphasised. He described the legislation as a vital tool to empower citizens, promote transparency in governance, and build a corruption-free society, adding that the public can make use of the Act.

Mr. Walvekar advised officials to thoroughly understand the RTI Act to respond effectively to public applications. Keeping track of orders and judgments issued by the Information Commission and the courts would streamline the process of providing records, he said.

Issuing a strict reminder, the Commissioner stated that the requested information must be provided within 30 days without delay. If an application seeking information falls outside a department’s jurisdiction, it must be transferred to the department concerned within 5 days under Section 6(3). He warned that negligence or unnecessary delay would attract fines and disciplinary action.

​He noted that despite the popularity of the term “RTI”, awareness of the Act’s specifics remains low.

Calling for swift public grievance redressal, Mr. Walvekar urged officers to prioritise public complaints, manage files systematically, and avoid delays, noting that mechanisms like Sakala, RTI, and the Lokayukta exist to ensure fast, open governance.

The Commissioner of ​the State Information Commission at the Kalaburagi Bench, Venkatsingh, along with district- and taluk-level officers, were present at the workshop.