Posted on 14 February, 6:30 PM IST
Hyderabad: After a delay of 730 days, Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) has responded to a Right to Information (RTI) application filed by activist Kareem Ansari on 28 February 2024. However, the response addressed only a fraction of the seven questions raised, sparking debate over transparency and compliance with the RTI Act, 2005.
The RTI application sought detailed information regarding TSRTC’s operational performance, passenger statistics, revenue figures, expenditure data, and specifics related to welfare schemes run by the corporation. The activist aimed to obtain a comprehensive picture of the transport body’s functioning and financial management.
In its reply, TSRTC disclosed that between 9 December 2023 and 14 March 2024, a total of 26.12 crore women passengers travelled under the Mahalakshmi scheme. The initiative provides affordable or subsidised travel for women commuters and is considered a major welfare intervention in Telangana’s public transport sector.
However, the corporation did not provide complete information on other critical aspects requested in the RTI. Financial implications of the Mahalakshmi scheme — including subsidy costs, revenue impact, and operational expenditure — were not disclosed in the available response. It remains unclear whether the second answered point included additional data, or whether only one of the seven queries was addressed.
Under the RTI Act, 2005, public authorities are mandated to respond within 30 days, unless specific exemptions or procedural extensions apply. The two-year delay in this case has raised concerns among transparency advocates and RTI practitioners. Critics argue that partial disclosure undermines the spirit of the Act, which is designed to ensure full and timely access to public information.
The disclosed data nonetheless highlights the significant scale of the Mahalakshmi scheme, with over 26 crore women utilising TSRTC services in just over three months. Observers note that such high passenger numbers indicate strong reliance on public transport among women commuters in Telangana.
Activist Kareem Ansari has indicated that he may pursue further administrative or legal remedies to obtain the remaining information. Transparency advocates are urging TSRTC to clarify the reasons for the delay and provide complete responses to all seven queries.
Mohd Abdul Akram is an independent journalist and RTI activist based in Hyderabad. Founder of Deccan Today News, he has over 12 years of experience in the media field, focusing on public interest issues, transparency, and accountability.
