I was disturbed to note reluctant and non-cordial attitude of the senior staff deputed at CR section at about 8.45 pm on October 31, 2009, when one of the staff-members hesitated in receiving an Right to Information petition asking to bring it in the next morning. However, the petition was later accepted by the counter-clerk but only after an annoyance expressed by the senior one. President Secretariat should clearly notify if there is some time-restriction for receiving RTI petitions at its CR section. Otherwise staff deputed at CR section should be directed to be cordial and people-friendly for not harassing members of public going there to file RTI petitions.
 
At a time when President of India has taken a welcome initiative of launching ‘helpline’ on her website for a time-bound response to requests/grievances lodged there, public-dealing staff at President Secretariat like at CR section should be trained for an admirable behaviour towards public. President Secretariat is otherwise amongst the best public-authorities in responding towards RTI petitions.