Now, file RTI queries on CIC website, but pay via post

[karira]

As reported by Himanshi Dhawan of TNN in timesofindia.indiatimes.com on 29 July 2008:
Now, file RTI queries on CIC website, but pay via post-India-The Times of India

Now, file RTI queries on CIC website, but pay via post

NEW DELHI: The Central Information Commission (CIC) has introduced online acceptance of RTI appeals and complaints, allowing applicants to file their queries on the Internet. This comes at a time when the Bihar state information commission has already introduced acceptance of applications on the phone and the Centre is planning a call centre as well.

Speaking about the online facility, chief information commission Wajahat Habibullah said, "This will hopefully increase the awareness of RTI and its use. It's mainly designed for appeals and complaints."

There is a catch, however. If the person is filing for information to the CIC, the RTI query will be accepted but must be followed by a postal order of Rs 10.

Online payments are still a long way off. According to the CIC, the government feared that the system was not strong enough to handle credit card payments. "There is fear of Internet fraud when money transactions are conducted on the net," admitted Habibullah.

As of now, when applicants log on to the CIC website, the online link will provide them with a form to apply online. The form includes 'mandatory fields' like name, address, contact details and the ministry, department or public authority that the appeal is against.

Verification code, citizenship status (whether you are an Indian or NRI) will have to be filled. Other details include if the person has applied to the public information officer (the first official authorised to address the appeal) and whether the issue at hand is a matter of life or liberty.

Applicants can also upload documents relevant to their argument. For the Internet savvy, this is likely to save time and resources. But the most to benefit from this are people living outside Delhi and Indians abroad who do not have to depend on the postal department to file their complaints. Habibullah said he had already received complaints online and queries on how to file them.

[karira]

The RTI Applications addressed to CIC only (application fee to be sent by post), First Appeals to CIC and Second Appeals (pertaining to PA's under the centre only), can be filed by visiting the following website:

RTI Complaint & Appeal

A link is also available on the CIC website: CIC

[hkdubey]

It is a good news.

[karira]

The full office memo detailing the methodology of using this feature as well as explaining the use of new e-office software by the CIC is attached.

[mindskills]

Thanks, Karira, for this very useful information. However, the pdf document ( about the e-site of CEC ) could not be opened. Some sort of corruption. Is it possible to check and if needed, upload again.
Thanks again.
Mindskills

[karira]

Mindskills,

It is opening for me.
Can you please specify the nature of the problem you are facing while downloading the attachment. This will help the site administrator to rectify it.

You can also access it from here:

http://www.cic.gov.in/CIC_Circulars/OM-23072008.pdf

But here is the usual statutory warning !

I spent 4 hrs. this morning to file a Complaint under Sec 18.
Tried all the 4 browsers that I use.
I had to try again and again but no result.

Finally, at about 1630 Hrs, I could observe some upload while using Firefox.
The complete details were uploaded and the screen turned blank.
No receipt, no acknowledgement, no token number, no nothing.
I tried sending the whole complaint with the 4 attachments to the two email id's given on that webpage. Both promptly bounced back with a message that messages from your email id not being accepted.

Will use snail mail tomorrow.

Wonder whether it was worth all the effort.

[mindskills]

Thanks, again. Will access it anyway.
Do not doubt the worthiness of your effort. These are all 'gravitites'. In the interest of our nation and our people, we will have to overcome the gravity and only then will we soar.
We will.
Best
Alok