At the launch of a book on the RTI Act, written by Additional Deputy Commissioner Abhe Singh Yadav, G Madhvan, the CIO, said the state received over 1,800 complaints in the past one year about government officials not providing the information requested in the stipulated time period.

Although the Act came into being in 2005, Haryana has taken longer than most other states to implement it.

Madhvan said, “The officials will have to change their mindset for effective implementation of the Act.” He said the aim of the Act was to bring transparency in the working of government department and fix accountability on the public servants. That is why, he said, Yadav’s attempt to educate the people regarding the Act, was laudable.

At the function on Monday, Madhavan also talked about the penalties listed in the RTI Act and urged the Gurgaon administration to take strict action against officials not adhering to the provisions of the legislation. Pointing out that the Public Information Officer (PIO) of the department concerned could be fined Rs 250 per day up to a maximum of Rs 25,000 for delay in providing information, he added “It is simpler to be efficient and give out the requested information instead of having to pay from your own pockets.”

Gurgaon Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Gupta, also present on the occasion, said, “Though the Haryana Institute of Public Administration (HIPA) is imparting training on RTI to the government officials, the general public should also be trained about how to apply for seeking information.” HIPA should help in this endeavour to by publishing pamphlets and distributing them, he said.