Bhubaneswar, Oct 26: The Odisha Information Commission today informed that the pending cases have come down from 22,000 to 5,500 in a period of 18 months.

The Commission, led by State Chief Information Commissioner Manoj Parida, informed the development to Governor Brajmohan Ram during a courtesy meeting at Lok Bhawan today. Other Commissioners Jagannath Rath, Pranabindu Acharya, Pabitra Mandal and Kalpana Pattnaik also joined the meeting.

The Commission briefed the Governor that through a special drive, the number of pending cases has been reduced from 22,000 to 5,500 in a period of 18 months.

It was submitted that the Commission had adopted the best practices in the country by issuing short orders on the day of hearing itself. Further for the benefit of the applicants all hearings were done in Odia language.

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The Commission has also provided videoconferencing facilities so that the applicants from remote areas do not have to come to Bhubaneswar for adjudication of their cases.

The Commission has also provided facility for online filing of applications and digital uploading of final orders.

Chief Information Commissioner Parida stated that nearly 300 law interns have been provided exposure and training in RTI matters.

The Governor was also informed that in all cases of non-implementation of orders of the Commission such matters were taken up with the Chief Secretary for appropriate action.