I think that the proviso to Section 7(5) excusing persons below poverty lines apart from its stipulated benefit was intended to convey the
liberal and People-friendly character of this Act. It proclaims loud and clear that poverty is defenitely not an obstruction in availing the benefits envisaged in the RTI Act. To be frank, the bureaucrates are more scared of BPL persons. They know very well that if at all any BPL person approach for information,claiming as BPL, there are chances that it might be a trap set by some Activists. I don't think by showing one as BPL one is expossing himself for exploration.