Massive Backlog in Telangana's Online RTI System Raises Transparency Alarms
A severe backlog in processing Right to Information (RTI) requests has emerged as a critical transparency issue in Telangana, with official statistics showing that an overwhelming 98% of applications submitted through the state's online portal over the last three years remain unresolved. This alarming situation poses fundamental questions about access to information and administrative accountability in the region.
Staggering Statistics Reveal Systemic Failure
Information obtained under the RTI Act by activist B Vinod Reddy from the Information Technology, Electronics and Communications (ITE&C) department paints a concerning picture. Between December 2022 and December 2025, a total of 17,865 RTI applications were filed online, yet only 377 were actually disposed of. The backlog becomes even more pronounced at the appellate stage, where 2,502 first appeals were filed during this same period without a single case being resolved, indicating a systemic logjam rather than mere administrative delay.
Portal Implementation Versus Operational Reality
The Telangana RTI online portal was officially launched on December 15, 2022, in compliance with binding directions from the Supreme Court in the Pravasi Legal Cell versus Union of India case. This landmark judgment mandated all states and Union Territories to operationalize online RTI mechanisms. While the portal exists technically, the data demonstrates that pendency has accumulated steadily with negligible clearance rates, suggesting implementation has fallen far short of judicial intent.
Poor Participation by Public Authorities
One of the primary reasons for this backlog appears to be extremely poor participation by public authorities. Out of 3,323 public authorities onboarded onto the portal, only 17 are actively using it to dispose of RTI applications. This translates to a non-usage rate of nearly 99.5%, effectively stalling both applications and first appeals within the digital system.
Telangana Information Commission's Response
The issue has drawn significant attention to the functioning of the Telangana Information Commission (TGIC), the statutory body responsible for enforcing the RTI Act. Citizens have reported delays in hearings, insistence on physical submissions in numerous cases, and slow delivery of orders, all contributing to overall pendency.
Responding to concerns about the backlog, State Chief Information Commissioner G Chandrashekar Reddy told media that the commission had made substantial progress over the last seven months and significantly reduced legacy pendency. "This is our progress in the last seven months. We are far ahead of many states with the least pendency," he stated.
According to Reddy, the commission is now up to date in 15 of the state's 30 departments and 15 of its 33 districts. He revealed that statutory audits, pending since Telangana's formation, have been completed up to March 2025, and annual RTI reports have been submitted to the legislature up to 2024. He also noted that Telangana is the first state to institute RTI awards to motivate public authorities.
Commission's Claims Versus Portal Data
"When we joined, cases were pending from 2013 onwards. We ensured information in all those cases. Now, cases are pending from 2021 onwards, which we are confident of bringing to 2025 by March," Reddy explained, adding that this progress was achieved despite prolonged vacancies in the commission in previous years. "RTI is in safe hands in the state, and we are sure to ensure information flow for all."
While the commission highlights gains in clearing long-pending cases and strengthening institutional processes, the official figures from the online RTI portal continue to show overwhelming pendency. This stark contrast between improvements claimed at the commission level and the portal data underscores the persistent challenge of converting statutory intent and judicial mandates into timely access to information for ordinary citizens.
