Drought report: On southwest monsoon, drought in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh

The Andhra Pradesh Right to Information (RTI) Commission has garnered national acclaim for its swift case resolution, with nearly 95% of hearings now conducted online, Chief Information Commissioner Vajja Srinivasa Rao announced on Monday (October 12, 2026) during the Commission's Foundation Day celebrations. In the first nine months of 2026 alone, the Commission disposed of 7,034 cases, a significant increase from 3,252 cases in 2024 and 3,326 cases in 2025.

The current commissioners have collectively handled 10,000 cases. Between January and September 2026, the Commission received 6,635 cases, a decrease from 6,423 cases in 2025 and 4,894 cases up to September 2026. The Commission anticipates registering over 8,000 cases by year-end. To expedite the disposal of pending cases from 2013 to 2023 by the end of November, the Commission plans to form two-member and full three-member benches as needed.

Users can now file applications via mobile phones and attend hearings online from local villages, eliminating travel costs and inconvenience. The Supreme Court commended the Commission's online hearing system and recommended its implementation nationwide. Inspecting 263 government offices, the Commission identified 162 deficiencies and issued notices to information officers.

Ongoing training programs for Public Information Officers and Assistant Public Information Officers further bolster the Commission's capacity. Proposals to appoint two dedicated RTI officials in each district have also been submitted. Nine individuals have been blacklisted for allegedly misusing the RTI law for personal gain. Emphasizing transparency, Srinivasa Rao urged all government offices to adhere to Section 4(1)(b) of the RTI Act.

Commission officials, including Chavali Sunil and Rehana Begum, as well as Commission Secretary Ch. Padmavathi Devi, attended the event.