PIO does not have discretion to charge fee as per his own judgement /decision.He has to charge the fees as decided by the competent authority under relevant sections of RTU Act.Even AA does not have authority to decide upon quantum of fee to be cahrged.Yes AA can ask the
pIO to supply the information free of cost and AA can hear an appeal against the
PIO if fee has been charged in excess of provisions contained in the
RTI Act meaning if excess is charged in the opinion ogf the applicant than he can go in for a appeal against such cahrges..For details the one can go to
RTI portel ( FAQ).
R K Garg