The Rajasthan government has launched a Jan Soochna Portal for quick access to information on government departments, which is said to be the first of its kind in the country.

Launching the portal under the Rajasthan Innovation Vision (RAJIV) campaign in Jaipur, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said the move will bring transparency and accountability, and empower the right of the people to seek information.

Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot claimed that with the launch of the portal, Rajasthan has become the first state in the country to provide information about a dozen departments on a single platform.

The state government has expressed its intention of using technology for transparency and would further strengthen and expand the scope of the RTI law, Pilot said.

Portal highlights

The Jan Soochna Portal ensures compliance with Section 4(2) of the RTI Act mandating the public authorities to disclose information in the public domain, so that people need not file applications under the law to obtain information. However, the Centre and states have not implemented this provision of the section.

To develop the portal, the state government collaborated with civil society organisations. Initially, it will give information pertaining to 13 departments on a single platform.

With different sections divided into districts, blocks and panchayats, the portal empowers the common people with access to useful information.

The government will set up information kiosks in village panchayats and self-service e-mitra centres to enable people to access information.