Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 03 January 2024
The Revenue Department of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration has taken a significant step forward in facilitating online RTI applications, introducing a service on the e-district portal (https://edistrict.andaman.gov.in). This initiative enables users to file RTI applications electronically within the department.
However, while this service is a positive stride, it remains limited to the Revenue Department alone. Unlike the central government, other departments in the Andaman and Nicobar Administration require offline RTI applications, a process involving either physical submission or postal dispatch.
Recognising the potential and advantages of online RTI services, many suggest that extending this functionality to encompass all departments within the Andaman and Nicobar Administration is crucial. Considering the geographical isolation of the Islands, this move could significantly benefit residents and streamline information access.
Comparatively, the existing online RTI service under eDistrict Portal for Revenue Department falls short in user-friendliness and functionality when juxtaposed with DoPT’s RTI Online Portal.
Furthermore, emulating the practices of Union Territories such as Chandigarh and Puducherry, which have integrated their departments into the central RTI Online Portal, could serve as a model for the Andaman and Nicobar Administration. This consolidation not only enhances accessibility but also mitigates postal charges associated with dispatching RTI replies to applicants.
The RTI Online Portal administered by the Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India, goes a step further by offering avenues for First Appeal, providing recourse for applicants dissatisfied with the Public Information Officer’s response or non-receipt thereof.
Efforts to expand the online RTI platform to encompass all departments within the Andaman and Nicobar Administration could prove pivotal in fostering transparency and ease of access for citizens seeking information across various governmental sectors.