All HCs in the country should set up online RTI portal within 3 months: Supreme Court

National Desk:

 The Supreme Court on Monday heard the demand for an online RTI portal in all the high courts of the country.  "We are of the view that all high courts in the country should set up online RTI portals within three months," the bench headed by CJI said.
 "We have started it," the court said during the hearing.  
 The CJI commented that even 17 years after the implementation of the RTI Act, 2005, the absence of an online RTI portal is not appropriate. He said that under the RTI Act, citizens have the right to apply in writing or electronically.  RTI applicants have the statutory right to send applications through electronic means and online facilities will greatly facilitate the objectives of the RTI Act.
 During the hearing today, the court said 17 states had filed their replies in the case.  Some states are waiting for infrastructure while others are in the process.
 It was informed through the proceedings that the High Courts of Delhi, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh have set up online RTI portals.  However, no High Court had set up online portals for the lower judiciary.