Gujarat: Open-court RTI redressal hearings, other significant changes issued by GIC

RTI activists filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Gujarat high court last month, following which, the Gujarat Information Commission (GIC), Gandhinagar, has issued three circulars changing their modus operandi.

The PIL mentioned errors in the GIC’s functioning while hearing redressal pleas.

RTI activists mentioned lapses by Gujarat’s information commission

A PIL filed by RTI Ekta Manch, an RTI activists’ group, raised objections over the information commissioners holding second appeal hearings of the RTI Act in their chambers, and not in an open court. It added that only the litigant and lawyer were permitted in the commissioners’ chambers.

Several other grievances were also raised, including the GIC commissioners often being unavailable during the proceedings.

Moreover, the PIL also mentioned that despite opting for an online medium for RTI redressal proceedings, lawyers and complainants were still obligated to present physical documents instead of laptops or iPads.

State’s CIC directs significant changes

Gujarat HC bench comprising chief justices Sunita Agarwal JC Doshi, however, dismissed the PIL, relegating the party to present their grievances to the state’s chief information commissioner (CIC) office.

Following which, the state’s CIC has issued three circulars, one of which directs to resume the practice of open-court hearing of second appeals of RTI applications. Dedicated hearing rooms are to be allotted for them.

Electronic devices now allowed during appeals

Electronic devices during appeal hearings are also permitted under a formulated standard operating procedure (SOP).

The word limit on the second appeal of RTI applications has also been increased, which was pleaded for in the high court.

For more such updates and news on the go, follow us on

Instagram | YouTube | Facebook