Karnataka government proposes to introduce seven benches in the State for hearing cases filed before the state Information Commission, RTI Commissioner Shekhar Sajjan said on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters here, he said such benches are functioning in Maharashtra and that the SIC, in the last five years, has received 30,000 applications, of which 22,000 cases had been disposed of.
About Rs 30 lakh penalty has been recovered from more than 600 officials for failure to provide information, while 8,000 cases are still pending for disposal, Mr. Sajjan said.
He also highlighted the need to create public awareness on RTI.
Incharge, Deputy Commissioner Jiddimani who was present, said the state Revenue department has submitted a Rs 350 crore proposal to the government for establishing record rooms for RTI related matters in taluks and districts.
