Kohima: The number of Right to Information (RTI) applications in Nagaland has taken a nosedive over the years, witnessing a consistent decrease since its peak in 2015-16.
The total number of RTI applications received by various public authorities in the state during 2020-21 was just 1548, compared to the previous year of 2688, while it was 4526 during the peak in 2015-16, according to the annual report 2020-21 furnished by the Nagaland Information Commission.
Out of the 1548 RTI applications filed in 2020-21, the directorates received the highest number at 45%, followed by the districts at 33%, secretariat at 16%, and other units at 6%.
The overall percentage of information furnished by the public information officers of various public authorities during 2020-21 was 89.86%, which the report said was due to the COVID-19 pandemic, while the rate of rejection of requests for information during the same year was 0.65%.
As per district-wise RTI applications received during 2020-21, Phek tops the table with 110, out of which 108 were furnished; followed Wokha (77 applications received, 69 furnished); Dimapur (75 applications received, 73 furnished); Mokokchung (65 applications received and furnished; Mon (44 applications received, 43 furnished); Zunheboto (41 applications received and furnished): Tuensang (38 applications received and furnished); Kohima (24 applications received, 23 furnished); Kiphire (16 applications received and furnished); Peren (11 applications received and furnished) and Longleng (9 applications received and furnished).
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]During the year 2020-21, males constituted a large chunk of RTI applicants at 1431 (93.96%), compared to female at 84 (5.52%), BPL 8 (0.53%), and nil from other genders.
The Transport and Motor Vehicle department at the district level alone received the highest 224 RTI applications, which is 14.47 % of the total number (1548) received in the state during 2020-21, compared to 26.53% in the previous year.
It was followed by the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare at 62; DC Office, Dimapur at 53; DC Office, Phek and Rural Development (directorate) at 48 each; Forest, Ecology, Environment and Wildlife at 43; Food and Civil Supplies at 42; School Education at 41; Rural Development (district) at 38; and PWD (R&B) at 34.
Public authorities of Social Welfare, DGP, PHED, NBHM, Parliamentary Affairs, ICFAI, NERC and Municipal Affairs in the state did not submit the RTI implementation report and update proactive disclosures during the period, according to the Nagaland Information Commission.
It added that a total amount of INR 82,292 -- INR 12,620 as RTI ‘application fees’ and INR 69,672 as the ‘cost of information’ -- was collected during the year.