The launch of the Right to Information Act in 2005 opened up multiple new possibilities to allow citizens to obtain information about the inner workings of the government and its various bodies. The RTI mandates timely response to citizen requests for government information.

To make lives easier for citizens the Central Government made it possible to file RTI’s online. However, on a state level only Maharashtra and Delhi have made it possible to file e-RTIs.
This is a big problem considering the goals of Digital India.

With regards to this I have tried speaking to a few authorities in Uttar Pradesh including the State Information Commissioner. The response I got was disheartening, they asked me to speak to the Chief Information Commission (CIC), (whose contact details are not mentioned on the website). They have also mentioned that as per their knowledge there seems to be no plan of an online RTI facility in UP.

The only option available to citizens residing here is to take the help of a private organization that provides RTI drafting services online or else they need to file a written application/letter addressed to the Public Information Officer.

What are the advantages of Online RTI?
1. Makes the RTI act accessible to sections of society who weren’t using it earlier like students, women and professionals who don’t have time to file an RTI via paper.
2. Allows for faster processes and achieving faster results in terms of exposing corruption and getting the right information.
3. It allows for a simplified and more transparent process which reduces the possibilities of ‘missing or lost’ applications

Why does UP need an Online RTI?
1. With 75 districts, 83 MP’s, and 404 MLA’s, UP has multiple officials in the government and to handle and provide information on so many PWD and elected officials is a task which an online portal will be able to handle better.
2. As defined by the RTI website, the Right to Information Act aims to ‘empower the citizens, promote transparency and accountability in the working of the Government, contain corruption, and make our democracy work for the people in real sense.’
Currently, as per the website File RTI Online it states that ‘time limits for RTI application and first appeal is 30 days from the date of receipt of RTI application in the concerned office. In some cases it is 45 days if the PIO has taken help of other officials. In case no reply is received within 30 days from the date of filing RTI, one can go for first appeal, before the official higher in rank of the PIO concerned. In case no reply/decision is given by the first appellate authority on can approach information commission of Uttar Pradesh with second appeal.’
This is not only cumbersome but it does not allow for the purpose of the RTI to be achieved. Hence, an online system would help bring about more transparency and accountability.
3. It would make for a faster and easier way to process and receive information requiring less effort and providing more results.

How can this be achieved?
The RTI can be phased in zone wise over a period of 1-2 years to make it easier for the officers as well as the citizens to adjust to it.
1. Phase 1: The online RTI can be phased in slowly within the zones with the Central zone (with Lucknow as the Zonal headquarters) taking the lead.
2. Phase 2: This can be followed by Allahabad (Prayagraj), Moradabad, Azamgarh and Gorakhpur.
3. Phase 3: After which the Eastern zone (with Varanasi as zonal headquarters) and the South Central Zone (with Kanpur as the zonal headquarters) can be included in the E-RTI system
4. Phase 4: Jhansi, Faizabad (Ayodhya), and Agra
5. Phase 5: Western (with Meerut as the zonal headquarters) and Northwest (with Bareilly as the zonal headquarters)

Sources
https://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-maharashtra-set-to-become-1st-state-to-allow-online-filing-of-rti-applications-1940635
https://www.filertionline.in/rti/rti-in-uttar-pradesh
https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/now-file-rtis-online-cm-kejriwal-says-delhi-govt-info-a-click-away/story-AZOTDz66CXXWxoHwrYc03J.html