A computerization programme for the state information commission has been stopped without completion as there were no sufficient funds available.

The Department of Personnel and Training, DOPT, which is under the supervision fo the Prime Minister Mnmohan Singh, has not been releasing any funds for the commission since it could not provide the certificates for utilization.

The information commission of the state of West Bengal was set up by the Bengal Government on 12th December 2005. even after seven years of the establishment of the commission it has failed to computerize the processes which is mandated by the Right To Information act of 2005. Meanwhile several people have filed complaints that they have been wasting valuable time for merely submitting the RTI applications which has triggered the central information commission to check the status of the RTI act in the state.

The computerization and digitization of the records is highly essential which enables the citizens to access the information that they require.

The website of the commission www.wbic.gov.in has not been updated since three years, last update was done in March 2009. The applicants woed that they were being harassed to provide information everytime they apply and if the digitization was made they would be rid of such worries apart from the much needed transparency being provided.

According to the RTI act all information must be made available to the public unless they contain sensitive material. All others should be made available online to reduce the load of RTI applications and expedite the process of the same.

(AW- Anil)