Hyderabad to Host National Conference on Challenges in RTI Implementation

The Telangana Information Commission (TGIC) will host a two-day national conference in Hyderabad to examine challenges in implementing the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, and discuss practical measures to make the system more effective, transparent and accessible to citizens.

The conference, titled “Uniformity in Practice in RTI Implementation: Challenges and Solutions,” will be held on September 10 and 11 at the Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI). It is being organised by the TGIC in collaboration with the National Federation of Information Commissioners in India (NFIC), with ASCI as a partner.

The event will bring together senior officials and experts from across the country to discuss issues affecting the functioning of information commissions. Chief Information Commissioners and Information Commissioners from nearly 20 states are expected to attend, along with former chief secretaries, senior IAS and IPS officers, legal experts, policymakers and senior administrators.

The Governor of Telangana will attend the inaugural session as the chief guest and deliver the keynote address. Discussions will focus on strengthening the implementation of the RTI Act while ensuring that citizens can obtain information without unnecessary procedural hurdles.

A major focus of the conference will be the sharing of experiences and best practices adopted by information commissions in different states. Participants will examine emerging challenges, case backlogs and ways to ensure quicker disposal of applications and appeals. The discussions will also explore how greater consistency can be achieved in procedures without turning decision-making into a rigid or mechanical exercise.

The organisers stressed that every RTI application, appeal and complaint must continue to be assessed on its individual facts, circumstances and relevant legal provisions. The objective is to improve consistency and efficiency while preserving the discretion required for fair and legally sound decisions.

Eight key areas have been identified for discussion, including reducing pending cases, improving hearing procedures, proactive disclosure under Section 4, digitising RTI processes and strengthening the capabilities of Public Information Officers and First Appellate Authorities.

The conference will also address preventing misuse of the RTI mechanism while protecting legitimate citizens’ rights, besides strengthening the independence and institutional capacity of information commissions.

Former Central Information Commissioner Hiralal Samariya, former Chhattisgarh Chief Information Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha and former Tamil Nadu Chief Information Commissioner Shakeel Ahmed are among the prominent speakers. Four panel discussions on contemporary RTI issues will also be held.

The TGIC thanked NFIC President R.K. Goyal and ASCI Director General N. Ramesh Kumar for their support and guidance in organising the national conference.