Supreme Court Demands RTI Portals: States Still Non-compliant

The Supreme Court has requested feedback from 11 states over a plea alleging non-compliance with a 2023 judgment mandating the establishment of Right to Information (RTI) portals. Despite directives for online RTI sites to enhance transparency, several states have yet to comply, raising concerns over accessibility and usability standards.

The Supreme Court has issued notices to 11 states, including Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand, over a plea alleging their failure to establish Right to Information (RTI) portals, in line with a 2023 judgment.

In a landmark decision from March 20 last year, the Supreme Court directed all states, Union territories, and high courts to set up RTI websites within three months to facilitate transparency, as stipulated by the Right to Information Act, 2005.

A bench consisting of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice J B Pardiwala acknowledged a lawyer’s representation for petitioner Anuj Nakade, highlighting that 11 states have yet to comply with the mandate, posing significant barriers to public information access.

(With inputs from agencies.)