Info Commission set on expansion drive...(Maharashtra)

[karira]

Commission receives a 1,23,577 applications in last quarter of 2006, responds to a remarkable 1,13,081

Flooded with applications, the State Information Commission is now on a major expansion drive with the Maharashtra government already accepting its proposal for three commissioners, in addition to the existing three, to make its functioning smooth. The Commission is also seeking its own registrar to handle the legal administration aspect of its growing work.
From October 12, 2005, to December 31, 2006, a whopping 1,23,577 Right to Information applications were filed in the state, the highest in the country. Out of these, 1,13,081 were given the necessary information by the 40,000 public information officers (PIOs) across the state. The highest applications - 23,552 were received by the urban development department.
“This is phenomenal work, and the state government should be lauded for their efforts,” said Suresh Joshi, chief information commissioner.
At present, the Commission’s 13 th floor office in the new administrative building is under renovation and sources state that many officers, who were earlier reluctant to join the Commission, now have a change of mind. Considering the growing work load, Joshi is also seeking officers with legal background.



DNA - Mumbai - Info commission set for expansion drive - Daily News & Analysis

[kushal]

Good opportunity