'Do not look at RTI Act from negative angle'

 
Addressing at a sensitisation programme on the RTI Act 2005 organised for public information officers (PIO) and other government officials at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office here on Monday, Krishna said that officials need not look at the Act in a negative angle. But at the same time, they should look upon its positive sides and implement it properly, he added.

He said that PIOs should not deny information to an applicant, even if the particular case is pending in a court. A PIO can deny information in such situation, only if there is a specific direction from the court not to make the information public. “Documents in a court too are public documents,” he added.

Further, Krishna said that PIOs should not reveal details about diseases of any persons, while replying to an RTI application, which seeks information on medical expenses.

Whereas, PIOs should only furnish the total amount spent by the government, he added.
Information Department Director M R Vishukumar, DC V Ponnuraj and additional deputy commissioner Prabhakar Sharma were present.