How to write an RTI Application?

• Pre-requisites:
  • Your name, address, contact telephone number and your email id
  • Information about Public Information officer, name, address e.t.c. Locate central Government PIO's here! In case you have problems locating your PIO/APIO you can address your RTI application to the Pio C/o Head of Department and send it to the concerned Public Authority with the requisite application fee. The Head of Department will have to forward your application to the concerned PIO.
  • Do not adress

... [Read More]

How to submit a RTI Application

If you want to learn about 'How to draft an RTI Application', kindly read this here!

You will need a proof, that your RTI application has been received by the PIO. The tested methods to submit a RTI application are:

• Personally, by hand: Please ensure that you get your copy of the application and proof of payment duly stamped, signed and dated, either by the PIO or by the inward department
• Registered Post AD: The AD card will act as proof of submission, after it is returned to y

... [Read More]

What is Right to Information?

Every citizen has a right to know how the Government is functioning. Right to Information empowers every citizen to seek any information from the Government, inspect any Government documents and seek certified photocopies thereof. Some laws on Right to Information also empower citizens to official inspect any Government work or to take sample of material used in any work.

Right to Information includes the right to:

1. Inspect works, documents, records.
2. Take notes, e

... [Read More]

How to write First Appeal under RTI?

13 Simple Guidelines to follow while filing 1st Appeal under Right to Information Act 2005.

1. First appeal has to be filed within 30 days from date of receipt of decision of CPIO by the applicant with First Appellate Authority (FAA).
2. If no reply is received within 30 days (35 days if application is lodged with ACPIO) from the date of receipt by CPIO (ACPIO), then first appeal has to be filed within 30 days from the date when reply was due from CPIO.
3. Find out name, designation and address

... [Read More]

Who can ask for information under Right to Information?

Any citizen can ask for information under these laws.The Act extends to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir.

OCI's (Overseas Citizens of India) and PIO's (Persons of Indian Origin) card holders can also ask for information under the RTI Act.

For citizens, OCI's and PIO's who are staying out of India, the RTI Application can be filed with the PIO of the local Indian Embassy/Consulate/High Commission and they will inform you regarding the amount of application fee in local... [Read More]

COMPLAINT UNDER RTI ACT 2005

COMPLAINT UNDER RTI ACT

Section 18 of the act empowers Central Information Commission [CIC] and also State Information Commissions [SICs] to enquire into complaints against Public Authority, Public Information Officer [PIO] and First Appellate Authority [FAA]. The section has provided for enquiring and taking corrective steps by the respective commissions in respect of majority of problems that the applicant/appellant may face in getting information to which he is entitled to under this a... [Read More]

Second Schedule of the RTI Act 2005

The Second Schedule of the RTI Act exempts certain Public Authorities under the Central Government from disclosure of information under the RTI Act 2005.

However, these Public Authorities have to respond to RTI Applications which pertain to subjects of Human Rights and Corruption. As per Section 5(1) of the RTI Act and the instructions of DoPT, they are also supposed to have a PIO and a AA.
(Please see: http://www.righttoinformation.gov.in...24_2007_IR.pdf)

As on 28th March 2008, the fol... [Read More]

How to File a Second Appeal under RTI? (For Central Public Authorities)

Kindly follow these guidelines for filling Second Appeal at Central Information Commission.

1. Fill in the above appeal/complaint form, index and chronological order of progress. If you are filing appeal remove ‘complaint/complainant’ words. If complaint is being filed, cut words “second appeal/appellant”
2. Get it typed in double space.
3. Get one photocopy of:
   • Original application under RTI with its enclosures
   • First appeal with its enclosures
   • Bank demand draft/pay slip/po

... [Read More]

Time limits specified in the RTI Act

Notes:

• 3^rd Party can be anyone other than the citizen applying for information
• Please account for adequate time for postal delays

Various time limit has been prescribed under which the information can be obtained under Right to Information Act. These time limits are prescribed by the Act itself, and failing which an RTI Applicant can approach appropriate authorities for relief.


Following are the various time limits specifie... [Read More]

HOW TO DECIDE WHICH RULES TO FOLLOW?

RTI Rules framed by Central or State Govts. prescribe formats for application or appeal, amount of fees, mode of payment of fees, other charges, etc. Following guidelines will facilitate decision as to which rules are to be followed while applying under RTI Act 2005:

1. If you want information from public authorities which are part of Central Govt. then follow rules of Central Govt, irrespective of location of the office of public authority. For example, for information from Income Tax Dept.... [Read More]

What are the Penalty and Compensation provisions under the RTI Act 2005

Penalty provision

As per Section 20(1) of the RTI Act, the CIC or the SIC, has the powers to impose a penalty on the PIO, while deciding on a complaint or a second appeal.

Penalty can be imposed, if the PIO has:

1. Refused to receive an application
2. Not furnished the requested information within 30 days of receiving the application
3. Malafidely denied the request for information
4. Knowingly given incorrect, incomplete or misleading information
5. Destroyed information which wa

... [Read More]

What are the obligations of a Public Authority under the RTI Act

The Public Authority has certain obligations under the RTI Act 2005:

1. It shall publish within one hundred and twenty days of the enactment (by end October 2005) :-

• the particulars of its organization, functions and duties;
• the powers and duties of its officers and employees;
• the procedure followed in its decision making process, including channels of supervision and accountability;
• the norms set by it for the discharge of its functions;
• the rules, regulations, inst

... [Read More]

HOW TO LOCATE A PIO UNDER RTI ACT 2005

Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.2.0 Web Technologies by Dr. Kushal Pathak