Bihar emerges first State for video-conferencing under RTI

A file picture of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar addressing a conference on Power Sector in Patna. Photo: Ranjeet Kumar.

Bihar Information Commission on Thursday introduced for the first time in the country video-conferencing facilities.

Launching the facility, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said after providing video-conference facilities under the Right to Information for speedy disposal of appeals by applicants at every district headquarter, similar facilities would be extended up to the block-level.

He said as Public Information Officials faced difficulties in providing information for cash shortage “we have now decided to ensure contingency fund for the purpose.”

He said about 93,000 pieces of information had been sought by applicants through ‘Jankari call centres’ in Bihar after implementation of the RTI Act.

“We will be awarding the 1,00,000th applicant,” he said.

“We are going to implement the Right to Service Act in Bihar from August 15, 2011,” he said adding that it had provisions for dismissal from service in the event of public servants violating the law.

Chief Information Commissioner of India, Satyanand Mishra said praised the State government for its efforts for popularising the RTI Act and said the number of applicants was increasing from 20 to 25 per cent every year.

Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi expressed happiness over disposal of around 49,000 applications against 53,000 applications in Bihar by the state Information Commission.