Sri Vijaya Puram: In a major step towards digital governance and improved transparency, the Andaman and Nicobar Administration has completed its integration with the Central Right to Information (RTI) Portal. The move allows citizens to file RTI applications and first appeals, make payments, and track responses online via rtionline.gov.in, removing the need for in-person visits to government offices.
The integration is part of a nationwide digital governance initiative and is expected to significantly streamline the application process under the RTI Act, 2005. Citizens can now access information from various government departments through a single, centralized portal, thereby reducing red tape and ensuring faster responses.
This development brings all departments of the Andaman & Nicobar Administration onto the digital RTI platform, enabling a uniform experience for applicants. The administration aims to ensure timely disclosures, better tracking of queries, and easier follow-ups, especially for people residing in remote areas of the islands who previously faced logistical difficulties in filing physical RTI requests.
The portal also provides applicants with the ability to pay RTI application fees online, view status updates, and receive replies from concerned departments digitally. By digitizing the end-to-end process, the administration hopes to enhance efficiency and accountability across departments.
Officials involved in the integration stated that the new system is designed to serve not just individual citizens but also researchers, activists, and civil society organizations who regularly seek public information. It is also expected to reduce administrative burdens on departments and bring more consistency in handling public queries.
The Central RTI Portal is managed by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Government of India, and is being adopted by Union Territories and States to ensure uniformity in the RTI process nationwide. With Andaman and Nicobar now fully integrated, citizens in the region join the growing list of users benefiting from online access to information.
In the age of e-governance, the shift to digital RTI filing aligns with the national push for transparency, responsiveness, and minimal physical interaction. With connectivity across the islands improving, the digital RTI facility also supports the vision of a more accessible administration, even in geographically isolated areas.
The administration has also undertaken internal training to ensure that all departments respond efficiently and in compliance with timelines specified under the RTI Act. Citizens are encouraged to use the portal as the primary platform for seeking information and raising appeals related to governance, public works, and administrative functioning.
