Maharashtra government spent no money on advertising RTI Act, reveals RTI

It has been 10 years since the Act was first launched, and the number of applicants keeps on rising with every passing year, but the state has failed to play its part in propagation of the Right To Information (RTI) Act. As per an application filed by Pune-based activist S Repale, the government spent no money at all on advertising the Act.

Repale had sought information from the chief minister office on the expenses it incurred to make the law popular in the last 10 years. The application was transferred to the general administration department, which looks after the Act. It replied saying it has not spent any money.

"I wanted to know how much they spent. There should be some propaganda. But the government has done nothing. They do advertise other government schemes in villages. There is no reason why they should not advertise this Act at all. Do they not desire the Act to be popular?" asked Repale.

Another RTI activist Vihar Durve said, "The government spent so much money on other things, such as foreign trips, nothing on the Act that helps poor people." dna tried contacting officials from the general administrative department but they could not be contacted.