RTI awareness low, says Govt

Steps are being taken to increase awareness among people about the Right to Information Act as only 33% of the urban population knew about the legislation.

New Delhi: Steps are being taken to increase
awareness among people about the Right to Information Act as
only 33 per cent of the urban population knew about the
legislation, Minister of State in Prime Minister`s Office,
Prithviraj Chavan told the Lok Sabha today.

"Government had instituted a study in 2009 which found
that awareness level about the RTI Act is low. Only 33 per
cent of people in urban areas were aware of the Act till
2008-09," he said during Question Hour.

He said the government was taking steps to increase
awareness among the people through radio, television and other
media.

More number of Assistant Public Information Officers were
being appointed, including in post offices, for better
accessibility to RTI, he said.

On the recent reports of killing of RTI activists, Chavan
said the Centre had written to chief ministers to provide
protection to activists whenever they sought it.

He informed the House that the government was working on
further strengthening the RTI Act and also introducing a
Whistleblower Act.

The minister said government was also working on
"expanding the scope of the Act."

Bureau Report

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