OTP system introduced on the RTI Act portal to protect the personal information of applicants, says Centre-OxBig News Network

The Department of Personnel and Training has said the system of sending one-time passwords (OTPs) to applicants for viewing the status of their applications under the Right to Information (RTI) Act was introduced to protect their personal information.

In a reply to the Madurai-based railway union leader, V. Ramkumar, the Department Secretary has said the applications under the Act contain the personal information of the applicants; hence, the system has been introduced.

Mr. Ramkumar had complained that the inordinate delay in sending the  OTPs by e-mail was causing inconvenience to the applicants. The Secretary, however, said the delay in receipt of OTPs could be due to various reasons. “But, as there is no expiry of the OTP, whenever it is received, it can be used to view the status. Once the status is viewed, the OTP expires,” he clarified.

Though Mr. Ramkumar welcomed the measure to protect the personal information, he said the delay in OTP delivery raised concerns about the efficiency of the process. “This delay is particularly noticeable, compared with the other systems, such as banking transactions, in which OTPs are delivered within seconds and are valid for a very short period, usually one or two minutes,” he pointed out.

Mr. Ramkumar has sought OTP delivery on the mobile phone, besides the email. “OTPs should also be sent through SMS to ensure faster and more reliable delivery,” he said. Furthermore, the OTPs should be delivered without delay, ideally within a few seconds, to prevent disruption and offer a hassle-free experience to the applicants, he said.