Taking note of the unavailability of important information on the official website of Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), the university authorities have made it mandatory for all departments to display the required information on the website immediately.
An official order to this effect has been issued to all concerned Chairpersons, Directors, and Heads of Departments by the Registrar.
The order states: “It has been brought to the notice of university authorities that important information mandated for suo motu disclosure under Section 4(1)(b) and Section 4(2) of the Right to Information Act, 2005, is not available on the official website of the university. Therefore, all departments are directed to ensure that they upload the information required for suo motu disclosure under the Act.”
Section 4(1)(b) of the RTI Act is among its most important provisions. It makes it mandatory for all public authorities to proactively publish information. Under this section, the government must disclose 17 specific categories of details.
These include the particulars of the organisation, its functions and duties, the powers and duties of its officers and employees, the decision-making process and channels of supervision and accountability, budget allocation, remuneration of employees, directory of officers and employees, and the names, designations, and other particulars of Public Information Officers. Publishing this information is essential to ensure transparency and reduce the need to file RTI applications.
Similarly, Section 4(2) of the RTI Act mandates providing as much information suo motu to the public at regular intervals through various means of communication, including the internet.
