UPSIC fails to upload orders on website

Publication: The Times Of India Lucknow; Date: May 19, 2011; Section: Times Region; Page: 6 http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JTC8yMDExLzA1LzE5I0FyMDA2MDE=&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom UPSIC fails to upload orders on website TIMES NEWS NETWORK Lucknow: The public discontentment over the functioning of UP State Information Commission is brewing. The RTI activists have tried to draw the attention of UP governor BL Joshi towards the laidback functioning of the UPSIC through a memorandum.     The commission has entered into its sixth year of functioning on March 22 this year. Even after completing five years of functioning the commission has not recorded its output. The commission has neither put any of its decisions on its website nor does it provide certified copies of the decisions under the RTI act to the info-seekers.     "We will bring this to the notice of the governor," said RTI activist Urvashi Sharma. The commission got funds from the Centre in December 2008 for digitalization of records. However, the digitalization of records is still awaited.     The activists also allege that the administrative reforms department which is the nodal department for the implementation of RTI Act in the state has also failed to make the commission act fast on technological front.     The department of personnel and training, Government of India had identified 19 State Information Commissions for e-enabling and the funds were dispersed for the same in 2008. The funds, hence disbursed, were to be used only for digitalization of SIC records and development of a user-friendly website.     The activists will request the governor to initiate an inquiry into the delay and to also direct the commission to regularly update its orders on its website. The Central Information Commission as well as several other state information commissions upload all orders on their website as it also increases public awareness about the Act.     The sources at UP State Information Commission, however, blame it to shortage of staff. "We do not have enough staff to handle day to day functioning of the commission," said sources. -- Urvashi Sharma RTI Helpmail( Web Based ) aishwaryaj2010@gmail.com Mobile Rti Helpline 8081898081 ( 8 A.M. to 10 P.M. )