Maharashtra Govt Unaware Of 2-Month-Old CIC Order Directing All Depts To Disclose Info On Welfare Schemes [Read Order]

In its reply to former Central Information Commissioner Shailesh Gandhi, the General Administrative Department (GAD) at Maharashtra Mantralaya claimed that they were unaware of any order by the CIC directing disclosure of information regarding various welfare schemes of the government.

This said order was passed two months ago on March 25 and compliance of the same was kept on April 30.

It was passed after former Central Information Commissioner Shailesh Gandhi filed a complaint before the CIC, Maharashtra, under Section 18 (1)(f) of the RTI Act highlighting how details of various welfare schemes of the government as well as municipal bodies were not known to the general public, who are the intended beneficiaries of these schemes.

Thus, Gandhi sought directions to the government and institutions of local self-governance to disclose all welfare schemes that have been implemented and their eligibility criteria.

In an order dated March 25, CIC Ratnakar Gaikwad observed: “S.4(1)(b) of the RTI Act, 2005 is the heart and soul of the Act, which makes it mandatory for all Public Authorities to disclose information about 17 aspects of public authorities which inter-alia covers schemes implemented by Public Authorities.

I, therefore in exercise of powers vested in me under S.19(8)(a) of the RTI Act, order that Chief Secretary, Govt of Maharashtra, should ensure that complete information about all welfare schemes implemented by various Govt. departments should be uploaded on the websites of all these departments in the format indicated by the Complainant.”

According to GAD’s reply dated May 28, they are not aware of any such order by the CIC, hence, no response can be given.

Read the Order here.