RTI RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT (RTI Act) Presented By – Pratik Maru Durlabh Giripunje

RTI What is RTI Act? Central legislation. Grants access to information held by a public authority. Flows from two fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution: –Article 19- Freedom of speech and expression –Article 21- Right to life and liberty Enacted: 15 June, 2005 & Enforced: 12 October, 2005.

Aim and Objectives of RTI Act To bring Transparency & Accountability in the working of every public authority. The right of any citizen of India to request access to information and the corresponding duty of Govt. to meet the request. The duty of Govt. to pro-actively make available key information to all. A responsibility on all sections: citizenry, NGOs, media. RTI

Chronology of RTI Laws in India Tamilnadu, Goa1997 Rajasthan, Karnataka2000 Delhi2001 Maharashtra, Assam 2002 Madhyapradesh2003 Jammu and Kashmir2004

Status of RTI Laws in the World RTI

What is Information? Information means any material in any form: i.e. records, documents, memos, s, opinions,advices, press releases, circulars, orders, logbooks, contracts, reports, papers, samples, models, data material in any electronic form, information relating to any private body which can be accessed by a public Authority. [Section 2(f)] RTI

What is a Record? Record includes: –Any Document, Manuscript, File –Any Microfilm, Microfiche, Fax –Any Reproduction of film or images embodied in such a film –Any other material produced by a computer or other electronic device [Section 2(i)] RTI

Right to information means the right to: Inspect works, documents, records. Take notes, extracts, certified copies of documents and records. Take certified samples of material. Access information in the following forms: –printouts, diskettes, floppies, tapes, videocassettes and other electronic mode. [Section 2(j)] RTI

Who can you demand information from? Public Authority: Any institution/authority/body of self- government established or constituted: –By or under the Constitution –By any law made by Parliament –By any law made by State Legislature or the NGO substantially financed by government [Section 2(h)] RTI

PIOs: Who are they and what are their obligations? Public Information Officers (PIOs) are designated in every public authority to provide information to applicant. Their Duties: –Respond to information requests. –Give all reasonable assistance including making application in written format. –If requested information is with another PA, the PIO will transfer the application within 5 days and inform the applicant immediately. [Section 6] RTI

Duties of PIO Respond to a application within 30 days: –Provide information on payment of fee. –Reject the application with reasons. –If information concerns life or liberty of applicant, respond within 48 hours. If the PIO fails to do any of the above within 30 days, he shall be cosidered to have refused the request. [Section 7] RTI

When information is rejected: The PIO will have to communicate to the applicant: –The reasons for the rejection. –The period within which the appeal against such rejection may be preferred. [Section 7(8)] RTI

Penalty The CIC/SIC shall impose a penalty of Rs 250/- per day Total amount will not exceed Rs 25,000 –Not furnishing information in 30 days. –Misleading the applicant. –Providing wrong information. –Not computerizing data and uploading on website. [Section 18] RTI

How do you request for information? Keep the questions short and specific. Duty of PIO to ensure that the application reaches the correct PA. No need to give reasons for making the application. No prescribed application format: some PAs have their own form but cannot enforce compliance. RTI

Fee that you have to pay: Central Rs 10 has to be deposited along with the application form. Rs 2 has to be paid for every page of information sought. Actual cost price for any samples or models. For inspection of records, no charge for the first hour: but a charge of Rs 5 for every 15 minutes thereafter. Actual cost price for paper larger than A3 size. Rs 50 for information provided on a diskette. RTI

Though RTI can be used by people in several ways, like developmental works, rations, etc, but the people uses RTI wherein they have to pay bribes to get their legitimate work done in any Government Department, either due to expectation of bribe or due to simple laziness of the concerned officials. RTI

"You need not pay bribes any more in this country. Now you have an effective alternative – Right to Information. Use RTI. Often, it works faster than bribes." RTI

Bibliography RTI

THANK YOU RTI