Karnataka HC orders central RTI disclosure repository, uniform data format

The High Court of Karnataka has directed the Karnataka Information Commission (KIC) to lay down a uniform format for collecting, maintaining and disclosing information on how public authorities in the State implement the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

The court also asked the Commission to set up a central electronic repository or index on its website, so that citizens can locate RTI disclosures from different departments and public authorities without having to search each website individually.

Scope of the prescribed format

The uniform format must capture year-wise details of RTI applications received, disposed of and rejected, along with first and second appeals, penalties imposed, and disciplinary action recommended against Public Information Officers under Section 20 of the RTI Act for failing to furnish, or for denying, information.

Justice Suraj Govindaraj issued the directions while partly allowing a petition filed by Ramesh Babu N. of Bengaluru. The petitioner had challenged the KIC's refusal to provide data on PIOs penalised, the penalty amounts collected, and disciplinary action recommended. The Commission had declined the information on the ground that it was not maintained in the format sought.

Record-keeping duties

The court said every department must identify its public authorities and ensure data collection under Section 25 of the RTI Act, which deals with monitoring and reporting. Each authority must designate an officer responsible for keeping records updated.

Information is to be maintained electronically, the court said, so that it can be searched, sorted and retrieved without manual examination of files.

The KIC has also been directed to maintain a clearly identifiable "RTI implementation and compliance" section on its official website, carrying information on the functioning of the Commission, including appeals, complaints, penalties and recommendations under the Act, in the prescribed format and subject to the provisions of the Act.

Public authorities should likewise maintain such information on their websites and update it at least once a year, the court said, noting that the RTI Act itself mandates proactive suo motu disclosure of several categories of information.

The court clarified that its directions do not require disclosure of information exempt under the RTI Act, and do not create any new exemption from disclosure.