Need Help: RTI Act, 2005 Section 7: Disposal of request

[kapoors18]

Someone filed an application for certain information under RTI Act 2005, which runs into thousands of pages. The "Public Authority" agrees to give him the hard copies of the information and requests him to deposit the fee (about Rs 45,000.00) representing the cost of providing information as per rates fixed under rules by the State Government. The request was sent to the applicant well within 30 days, through a registered letter, which came back undelivered with the remark "addressee not found or refused to receive the letter". Another effort was made to ensure delivery of the letter by sending it again to the applicant but with same results. Nothing has been heard from the applicant since (more than sixty days!). How do the PIO proceed in the matter? How long shall he wait for the applicant to resurface and keep the application live in his register and returns?

[sandeepbaheti]

Two attempts are good enough. Ask the PIO to retain the two undelivered letters with envelope as proof of returned letters. In case the applicant has provided any phone/mobile/fax no. or e-mail address, contact him there. Otherwise stop pursuing the matter.

[karira]

Two returned envelopes is proof enough (in fact, even one was enough).
Just wait till he comes for First Appeal or Complains to the SIC/CIC and show him the envelopes.

If the applicant did not ask for any specific means/mode of communication, the PIO is correct in using ordinary post.