TOI 25 JULY 2011 LUCKNOW EDITION PAGE 2 : SIC hedges query on funds for online data

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RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT

SIC hedges query on funds for online data

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Lucknow: Any query regarding the utilisation of Central funds released
for digitalisation of its records (to make data available online) is
apparently enough to put the state information commission on the
defensive. When the UPSIC was asked under the RTI what it did with the
money, it simply said it did not get the question.
In response to a query put up by an applicant, Urvashi Sharma,
under the Right To Information Act, the department of Personnel and
Training (DoPT), New Delhi, said it had allocated Rs 21 lakh to the
commission for digitalisation. But, it is yet to receive any
utilisation certificate from the state commission for the amount
released. Next, the applicant asked the commission about the funds.
The public information officer, UPSIC, said that the commission is yet
to start the digitalisation of records. However, when asked about the
financial aid given by the Central and state government, and work
undertaken by the commission to put the funds to intended use, the PIO
evaded the question and said it is not clear what the applicant wants
to know.
Notably, the UPSIC has entered its sixth year of functioning on
March 22, 2011. In all these years, the commission has not been able
to compile the orders passed by it.
Also, it does not have data on number of orders passed by different
information commissioners. But, the UPSIC officials have claimed time
and again that digitalisation process is on.

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