Training of MP government officers in RTI held at Bhopal

One of the most neglected parts of the Right to Information (RTI) Act is lack of training to the persons who are at the cutting edge i.e. the Public Information Officer (PIO). The Noronha Academy at Bhopal has taken a lead by organizing training for the master trainers in the field of Right to Information (RTI) Act. A two day training was organised at the Noronha Academy between the 16^th and 17^th august 2012 which received accolades from the sixty participants who had come from all over the state of Madhya Pradesh.

Delivering the lecture on the 17^th August, Dr. Anuradha Verma shared her experiences in the field of RTI. She gave practical examples to explain what is ‘information’ as per section 2 (f) of the RTI Act. She also gave a detailed presentation on how the PIO should handle a RTI application and the time limits to be followed. Citing cases which have come up before the Central Information Commission, she pointed out the conditions where the exemptions may be used and the way the order should be issued by a Public Information Officer (PIO).