Full Breakdown
Karnataka Expands RTI Registration and Online Filing Under Sakala Framework
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Measures Introduced
The Karnataka government announced two linked measures to streamline the Right to Information (RTI) process. Any public authority that receives a physical RTI application—by post or in person—must register the request on the official RTI online portal within two days. The registration, now a guaranteed service under the Karnataka Sakala Services Act, 2011, provides the applicant with an online number and tracking capability. The state has also extended online filing to all Bengaluru One, Karnataka One and Gram One service centres, allowing citizens without personal internet access to submit applications with staff assistance.
Background & Context
The Sakala Services Act, 2011, obliges Karnataka departments to deliver guaranteed time-bound services and provides compensation if standards are not met. Physical RTI applications have historically been prone to loss or delay. By integrating these filings into the online portal, the government creates a single monitoring platform for all RTI requests.
Official Statements & Responses
Harsh Gupta, Principal Secretary of the Praja Seva Department, said the two-day rule is intended to reduce misplaced applications and hold officials accountable. He added that missed deadlines trigger compensatory relief under the Sakala Act.
Chief Minister D K Shivakumar approved the measures, urging citizens to use the portal or the nearest service centre—Bengaluru One, Karnataka One or Gram One—to file RTI requests.
Data & Statistics
- Registration deadline: 2 days from receipt of a physical RTI application.
- Compensation trigger: Eligibility for Sakala-act compensation if the deadline is missed.
- Service-centre fees: Prescribed RTI fee plus a nominal service charge.
- Appeal timelines: First-level and second-level appeals must be decided within seven working days.
Why It Matters
Mandating rapid online registration creates a transparent audit trail that can be monitored in real time. The common platform consolidates physical submissions, direct online filings, and centre-assisted applications, helping identify delays quickly. Extending assistance to Bengaluru One, Karnataka One and Gram One centres addresses the digital divide for rural populations lacking personal internet access.
Timeline
- October 2026 (publication date): The measures were reported following a government order approved by the Chief Minister, outlining the two-day registration requirement and the expansion of online filing through service centres.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
All sources convey a consistent description of the new procedures; no contradictory figures or divergent interpretations were identified. The announcements do not specify the exact budget for the service-centre extensions or the projected volume of RTI applications expected to shift to the online platform.
What’s Next
The government has not announced additional implementation dates beyond the immediate rollout. Future updates may address integration of digital payment modes, Aadhaar-based verification and storage of issued certificates in DigiLocker, as outlined in broader citizen-service guidelines issued concurrently.