Jan Soochna Portal

News: The Rajasthan government has launched Jan Soochna Portal

Facts:

• It seeks to provide quick access to information on government departments. By doing so, it aims at transparency and accountability, and empower the right of the people to seek information. Rajasthan is the first state to launch such a portal.
• The portal will have information pertaining to 13 departments on a single platform.
• It is in compliance with Section 4(2) of the Right to Information Act, 2005. The section mandates the public authorities to disclose information in the public domain, so that the people need not file applications under the law to obtain information.

Additional Information:

Right to Information Act, 2005:

• RTI Act provides for timely disclosure of information by citizens from both central and State Public Authorities. It seeks to empower citizens and promote accountability and transparency.
• Under the Act, Public Authorities are required to make disclosures on various aspects of their structure and functioning.  This includes:
  • disclosure on their organisation, functions, and structure,
  • powers and duties of its officers and employees,
  • Financial information.

Right to Information (Amendment) Bill, 2019

• It proposes to change the tenure of the Central Information Commissioner (CIC) and Information Commissioner(IC) at the centre and state levels from five years or until the age of 65 years at present to for such term as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
• It proposes to change the salaries and allowances of CIC and IC as may be prescribed by the Central Government.