By Anita Shukla, Senior Correspondent
Mumbai: In a major step towards strengthening transparency and improving public access to information, the Maharashtra government has decided to integrate all regional offices, corporations, and subordinate departments into the upgraded “Online RTI Version 2.0” portal. The move is expected to simplify the process of accessing government information, allowing citizens to seek details from village-level offices to Mantralaya through a single digital platform.
Upgraded RTI System
Previously, due to limited server capacity, only 215 offices including Mantralaya departments and major district-level offices were connected to the RTI portal. Following a major technological upgrade, the portal’s capacity has now been expanded significantly. The state government has also set up a dedicated Project Implementation Cell to ensure smooth execution of the initiative.
New Operational Framework
- Nodal Officers to Be Appointed:
The National Informatics Centre (NIC) will appoint a nodal officer for every public authority.
- Village-Level Integration:
For RTI applications related to Talathi offices, the concerned Tehsil office will serve as the nodal office. Likewise, for Gram Sevak-related matters, the Block Development Officer’s office under the Panchayat Samiti will function as the nodal office.
- Real-Time Information Updates:
Nodal officers will be responsible for updating the portal immediately whenever there are transfers, appointments, or retirements of Public Information Officers.
Easier Search for Offices
To make it easier for citizens to locate specific government offices, all regional offices will be digitally mapped with their parent departments. Administrative departments have been instructed to submit their organisational structure in a “Tree Diagram” format to streamline the integration process.
Principal Secretary of the General Administration Department, Dr. Atul Patne, has issued directions to all Mantralaya departments to submit the required information in the prescribed format. Officials believe the upgraded system will make the RTI process faster, more transparent, and more citizen-friendly across Maharashtra.
