Set up online RTI portals within three months: Top Court directs all High Courts
In November last year, when the Supreme Court had observed that the online portal for streamlining the responses under the Right to Information Act, 2005 was practically ready for being launched, CJI had added that he would ask the High Courts' to follow the same mechanism set out by the Apex Court to make information about the courts more accessible to the public at large
In a PIL seeking setting up of online RTI portals for all High Courts, the Supreme Court today passed an order directing that the same be done within three months.
Noting that online facilities will suitably allow the enforcement of the provisions of the RTI Act, Court ordered thus,
"We have been told that web portals are available for the states of Delhi, MP, Orissa and Karnataka. We direct that such exercise be carried out by other HCs within three months of this order".
At the outset court was informed that the Delhi High Court and Orissa High Court already had a functioning online RTI portal. Furthermore, Sr. Adv. GV Chandrashekhar appearing for State of Karnataka told the bench that state government had created all inclusive RTI portal which was being used by the High Court as well.
To this the CJI said, "If the HC is part of the portal set up by the state government, then that is fine."
At present, a person seeking info under RTI from a court, has to make a physical application in the absence of a web portal, the bench noted.
The setting up of online portal will facilitate Indian citizens to seek information under the RTI Act, the bench also comprising Justices Pardiwala and Narasimha said while adding that the Supreme Court had also recently set up an online portal for the supply of information.
"The Registrar Generals of all High Courts be provided a copy of this order. As regards the District Judiciary we request the Registrar Generals to take administrative orders from the Chief Justices. The High Courts can use the NIC's assistance for this purpose.", ordered the Top COurt.
In a similar plea, the Supreme Court has further directed the all states and UTs to set up and operationalize online web portals so that information can be sought under the RTI Act w.r.t to all public authorities.
"This exercise to be completed in three months", Court has said in this regard too.