Is RTI Act applicable to private societies

[binny]

Dear Sir/
I will very much appreciate if somebody please guide me in respect of my querry.
Our society which is a private society not aided by any govt.grants or funds.
can the society come under the purview of the RTI ACt of 2005.also point to be noted that our society is registered with the housing federation and also with the registrar office in MUmbai.
thanking you,
Binny.

[jps50]

Yes, coop societies inclg housing coop societies are covered by RTI. Secretary of society is usually the SPIO and Chairman First Appellate Authority under RTI. U can also obtain info of soc. from SPIO of office of sub registrar in whose jurisdiction the society falls.

[abhijeet]

Mr. Jps50,
Coop. Societies, including the Housing Soc, which are not aided by any Govt.Department are not covered under the RTI Act in West Bengal. Would you please provide relevant decision of CIC ,if any, which had mentioned this type of society as under RTI Act. That will be much helpful.

[wehelp]

I think it depends on the information u seek. Though the private societies do not come directly under the purview of the act, still you can seek certain from the Registrar of societies

like the annual reports of the society which is manadatory for the societies to submit yearly to the registrar of societies

you can also seek information regarding when this particular society came in to existance, names of the office bearers something like that

[jps50]

Binny's case is from Mumbai. There RTI is applicable to coop societies as per decision of state ic. In Gujarat also it is so applicable. In West Bengal, u can definitely approach through RTI SPIO of office of Sub Registrar of Coop Societies with a request to suck the information reqd by you pertaining to a particular society under sec 2[f] of RTI act. Even if in doubt, ask for the info. If U do not ask, U do not get but If u ask U may get! Just try. Little money and time may crack the problem.