Government Must Share Women Safety Scheme Evaluations, Rules CIC
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New Delhi: The Central Information Commission has ruled that the NITI Aayog's independent evaluations of women safety schemes implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Development should be made public. These reports, which assess the effectiveness and efficiency of these schemes, are intended to inform policy reforms and improve governance. According to a recent order, Information Commissioner P R Ramesh upheld the ministry's stance on not releasing internal file notings related to the One-Stop Centre and Women Helpline schemes. However, he emphasized the importance of proactive disclosure of evaluation reports, citing the need for transparency and public awareness. The commission noted that third-party evaluation reports, particularly those evaluating government-funded women safety and welfare schemes, should be made publicly available. This would allow for informed public discourse, enhance accountability, and ultimately improve governance. In a related matter, the CIC also stressed the importance of suo motu disclosure under the Right to Information Act. The commission advised the Ministry of Women and Child Development to make maximum information about their contracts and projects publicly available on their website, including details of successful bidders, contract amounts, and completion dates. This move is seen as a step towards greater transparency and accountability in government schemes and programs.
