Union Law Ministry Responds to Assam Lawyer's Plea for Record Officers

The Union Law Ministry is taking steps to address a petition from an Assam-based lawyer advocating for the appointment of record officers under the Public Records Act. This initiative aims to enhance the efficiency of information dissemination under the RTI Act. The lawyer, Nayan Moni Hazarika, highlighted the challenges faced by public information officers in government offices due to the absence of designated record management personnel. By appointing record officers, it is expected that the process of retrieving and providing information will be streamlined, ensuring compliance with statutory time limits. The Ministry has already issued a memorandum to act on this petition, signaling a proactive approach to improving transparency and accountability in public administration.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 28, 2026, 10:16 IST

Union Law Ministry Takes Action on RTI Implementation

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GUWAHATI, Sept 28: A lawyer from Assam has prompted the Union Law Ministry to consider the appointment of record officers under the Public Records Act of 1993. This move aims to enhance the provision of information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act of 2005.

In his petition, advocate Nayan Moni Hazarika from the Gauhati High Court emphasized the importance of proper management, indexing, preservation, and retrieval of official records by public authorities for the effective execution of the RTI Act.

Hazarika pointed out that many public information officers in government offices struggle to provide information within the required time frame due to the lack of designated officers responsible for the systematic management and preservation of records. He noted that the Public Records Act, 1993, requires all record-creating agencies to ensure proper management and retention of public records.

He suggested that appointing record officers through established rules, rather than merely nominating them, would significantly aid Chief Public Information Officers (CPIOs) in quickly locating and providing information as mandated by the RTI Act. Hazarika further stated that this would prevent CPIOs from claiming they are overwhelmed with non-essential tasks related to information collection.

The Union Law Ministry has responded by issuing an office memorandum to initiate necessary actions regarding the petition.

Staff Reporter