Tarun Karthick
Campbell Bay, 22 November 2024
Nicobar Times has been advocating for the introduction of an online RTI facility for departments under the A & N Administration to improve citizens’ access to information. Over the past year, we have published several news stories—on 23rd April 2023, 3rd January 2024, 1st May 2024, and more—highlighting the need for an online RTI portal to make information more accessible to the public. We also suggested that the A & N Administration bring its departments under the DoPT-administered Online RTI Portal, following the example of union territories like Chandigarh and Puducherry.
In September 2024, the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India issued a notice to 11 states and union territories, including the A & N Administration, for failing to set up online RTI portals as directed by its 20th March 2023 judgment.
Shortly after the notice, the Andaman and Nicobar Administration quietly enabled its departments on the DoPT-administered Online RTI Portal (rtionline.gov.in), without making any public announcement.
Interestingly, the Administration, which often issues press releases for even minor updates and announcements through local media and its official mouthpiece The Daily Telegrams, chose not to inform the public about this significant development. This silence raises questions about whether the Administration is apprehensive about the disclosures that the RTI Act might bring to light or if it simply does not prioritise transparency.
Two press releases were issued regarding a two-day training program for officials and stakeholders on the Online RTI Portal. However, even in these press releases, there was no mention that the departments of the A & N Administration are now accessible on rtionline.gov.in.
While the Administration failed to announce it, as a responsible media outlet, it is our duty to publicise such facilities that make information more accessible to the general public. Citizens can now file RTI applications online and obtain information from the departments of the A & N Administration through the rtionline.gov.in portal.