No Excuse for Ignoring Online RTI Applications: Haryana CS Anurag Rastogi Directs Strict Monitoring

Chandigarh, September 1: Haryana Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi has issued directions to all Administrative Secretaries and Heads of Departments to ensure that online RTI applications are regularly monitored and disposed of within the statutory timelines, making it clear that Public Information Officers (SPIOs) will not be able to cite lack of awareness or internal monitoring failures as an excuse for unattended applications.

The directions were issued by the Chief , following an order of the Haryana State Information Commission in Appeal Case No. 3139 of 2026 under Section 19(3) of the RTI Act, 2005 — Tushar Arora versus HSIIDC, Saha, Ambala.

The Chief Secretary has directed departments to sensitise all State Public Information Officers (SPIOs) under their administrative control and ensure regular monitoring of applications received through the online RTI portal. SPIOs have been instructed to take timely action on such applications strictly in accordance with the provisions of the RTI Act, 2005.

The government has made it clear that no plea or excuse will be accepted in future on the ground that an online RTI application remained unattended or was not brought to the concerned SPIO's notice because of the absence of an internal monitoring mechanism.