Reported by Thehindu.com on June 18, 2012
The Hindu : NATIONAL / KARNATAKA :

The returning of Right to Information (RTI) Act applications by the Karnataka Information Commission (KIC) because photocopies of the Rs. 10 postal order were not attached is against the law, Grahakara Hakku Mahitigala Jagarana Vedike, Hubli, has said.

Vedike president Rama Rao has submitted a memorandum to the Chief Information Commissioner of the KIC, urging him to initiate remedial measures.

In the memorandum, Mr. Rao said the KIC office was returning complaints and appeals because photocopies of the Rs. 10 postal order were not enclosed.

Mr. Rao said that no one kept photocopies of the postal order and even the RTI Act did not make it mandatory for citizens to maintain photocopies and send it to the KIC.

“Writing the number of the postal order or sending the copy of the counterfoil of the postal order is sufficient to show that initial amount is paid. Hence, the return of complaints/appeals by the KIC officials is against the law.” Mr. Rao also pointed out that the KIC was returning complaints and appeals and was insisting on submission of copies of acknowledgements issued by the Public Information Officer (PIO) or First Appellate Authority (FAA) despite there being several complaints about the non-receipt of reply from PIO/ FAA. “When no reply is given, how can a citizen furnish the copies,” he asked.

He also pointed out that complaints were being returned for not approaching the FAA and also by saying that there was no provision for considering them under Section 18 (1) of the RTI Act as per a court order. No court had prevented the KIC from hearing cases pertaining to not giving reply within the statutory period and giving misleading information and for imposing penalty, he said.

In his letter, Mr. Rao said applications were being returned without proper verification. While passing orders it was not being verified whether the authorities had furnished the right information as sought by applicants.