UP Government Portal Glitch Halts RTI Application, Grievance Filed Over Missing Order. RTI website means website of UPSIC not RTI portal

An RTI activist, Yogi M. P. Singh, has filed a grievance after facing significant technical difficulties with a Government of Uttar Pradesh portal related to the RTI website, which ultimately prevented him from successfully filing an RTI application that he deemed essential for transparency and accountability.
The grievance not only underscores the obstacles faced by citizens in accessing vital information but also highlights the failure of the Uttar Pradesh State Information Commission (UPSIC) to upload a final order in his case, raising serious questions about transparency, administrative efficiency, and adherence to fundamental principles of governance that are expected from public institutions.
Furthermore, this incident brings crucial attention to the pressing need for the RTI website to function properly and reliably, as it plays a pivotal role in empowering citizens and fostering an environment where governmental actions can be scrutinized effectively.

The Initial Problem: A Dysfunctional Portal

The core of the grievance, registered as GOVUP/E/2024/0093266, stems from a technical failure on the state’s RTI portal. When Mr. Singh attempted to submit his application concerning a case with the UPSIC, he was repeatedly met with an error message: despite his diligent efforts to provide all necessary information, the portal’s malfunction prevented him from proceeding.
This persistent issue not only caused frustration but also led to significant delays in addressing his concerns. Mr. Singh felt compelled to seek assistance from technical support, yet their responses were inadequate, leaving him in a state of uncertainty about whether his application would ever be processed.
The lack of a functional RTI portal undermines the very purpose of transparency and accountability in governance, raising serious concerns about the accessibility of essential services for citizens who rely on such mechanisms to voice their grievances and seek information.

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This technical snag effectively blocked his right to seek information, prompting him to file a grievance about the dysfunctional state of the government website, which is crucial for accessing RTI services, like the RTI website.
The persistent issues with the portal not only hindered his ability to retrieve important information but also raised serious concerns regarding the overall accessibility of governmental resources for citizens.
This situation highlighted a significant gap in digital infrastructure, causing frustration among users who rely on these services for transparency and accountability.
As he navigated through the bureaucratic complexities, it became abundantly clear that such technical barriers undermine the fundamental principles of the Right to Information Act, further amplifying the need for urgent reforms and upgrades to ensure smoother access for all citizens.

The Underlying RTI Case: A Missing Final Order on RTI website

The RTI application Mr. Singh was attempting to file sought crucial information regarding a second appeal he had filed with the Uttar Pradesh State Information Commission.
This appeal was of significant importance to Mr. Singh, as it aimed to address critical issues that had arisen in the original case, which involved a lack of transparency and responsiveness from the authorities.
Mr. Singh believed that obtaining the necessary information would not only shed light on the progress of his case but also empower him to advocate effectively for his rights in this legal matter.
The details of the case are as follows:

• Diary or Registration number: A-20240602365
• File number: S11/A/0813/2024
• Applicant: Yogi M P Singh
• Respondent: Manish Kumar Mishra, Public Information Officer, POLICE COMMISSIONERATE GAUTAMBUDHNAGAR
• Hearing Date: 17th December 2024
• Case Status: Final order passed and case disposed of.

Despite the status indicating that a final order has passed, the complainant found only an earlier order displayed on the UPSIC website, not the final one. This discrepancy highlights a gap on the RTI website.

Key Information Sought in the RTI

The blocked RTI application sought answers to four specific points from the Public Information Officer at the Uttar Pradesh State Information Commission: these points included detailed inquiries about the status of pending applications, the average processing time for such requests,
the protocols followed by various departments in handling RTI applications, and the measures in place to ensure transparency and accountability within the system.
By addressing these concerns, the applicant aimed to shed light on the effectiveness of the RTI Act in promoting public participation and government openness in Uttar Pradesh.

1. How long does the UPSIC staff take to upload commission orders to its website?
2. What specific reason prevented you from uploading the final order in case number S11/A/0813/2024, even though the status shows it has passed and the case disposed of?
3. Are there any government orders, circulars, or office memos that state it is not necessary to upload orders passed by quasi-judicial bodies like the Information Commission on their websites?
4. A copy of the final order passed by the presiding officer in the aforementioned case.

In his application, Mr. Singh emphasized the legal principle of “Right to Reason,” citing that the giving of reasons is a fundamental of good administration and that failure to do so can amount to a denial of justice for quasi-judicial bodies. The RTI website plays a crucial role in this transparency.

Grievance Status and Contact Details

Here are the current details of the grievance filed in response to these issues:

• Grievance Registration Number: GOVUP/E/2024/0093266
• Complainant Name: Yogi M. P. Singh
• Date of Receipt: 19/12/2024
• Received By: Uttar Pradesh
• Current Status: Grievance received (as of 19/12/2024)

Officer Concerns To:

• Forwarded to: Uttar Pradesh
• Officer Name: Shri Arvind Mohan (Joint Secretary)
• Organisation Name: Uttar Pradesh
• Contact Address: Chief Minister Secretariat, Room No. 321, U.P. Secretariat, Lucknow
• Email Address: arvind.12574@gov.in
• Contact Number: 05222226350

This case highlights a dual challenge for citizens: first, overcoming technical barriers to access government services, and second, ensuring that administrative and quasi-judicial bodies operate with the transparency mandated by law. The resolution of this grievance will be a test of the system’s responsiveness to both technical and procedural shortcomings, especially in relation to the RTI website.

National Informatics Centre is responsible only for technical guidance

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