RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT

RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT

What is right to information?

The right to information includes an access to the information which is held by or under the control of any public authority and includes the right to inspect the work, document, records, taking notes, extracts or certified copies of documents/records and certified samples of the materials and obtaining information which is also stored in electronic form.

The information which is exempt from disclosure.

The Act provides under Section 8 & 9, certain categories of information that are exempt from disclosure to the citizens. The public may also refer to the relative sections of the Act before submitting a request for information.

Who can ask for information?

Any citizen can request for information by making an application in writing or through electronic means in English/Hindi/Official language of the area, in which the application is being made together with the prescribed fees.

Who will give information?

Any public authority would designate Central Asst. Public Information Officer (CAPIO) at various levels, who will receive the requests for information from the public and necessary number of Central Public Information Officers (CPIO) in all administrative units/Office who will arrange for providing necessary information to the public as permitted under the law. The public authorities are also required to designate authority (i.e.) senior in rank to APIO, as Appellate Authorities, who will entertain and dispose off appeals against the decision of the CPIO as required under the Act. Any person who does not receive the decision from CPIO whether by way of information or rejection within the time frame, may within 30 days from the expiry of period prescribed for furnishing the information or 30 days from the date of receipt of the decisions, prefer an appeal to the Appellate Authority.

The main structure/Role of Public Information Officers

i) Central Asst. Public Information Officers (CAPIO)

The CAPIO will receive the application/request for information or the appeals under the Act and forward the same immediately to the CPIO or the Appellate Authority as the case may be.

ii) Central Public Information Officers (CPIO)

The CPIO is required to process the request for providing the information and dispose of the same; either by providing the information or rejecting the request, within a period of 30 days from the date of receipt of request.

iii) Appellate Authorities

The Appellate Authority will entertain and dispose off appeals against the decision of the CPIO as required under the Act.

RTI ACT, 2005
Applications and Fee

All persons desiring to obtain information under this Act are requested to give their request in writing or through electronic means in English or Hindi accompanied with the fee as given below:

S.No. Details Amt. of fee
1. Application Fee under Section 6(1) Rs.10/-
2. Under Section 7(1):
(a) Copy of documents @ Rs.2/- per page Rs.2/- per page
(A4 or A3 size paper) Rs.5/- per 15 minutes
(b) Actual charge or cost price of a copy
In larger size.
(c) Actual cost of price of samples or
Models: and
(d) For inspection of records, no fee for
The first hour; and fee @ (or fraction
Thereof) thereafter
3. Under Section 7(5):
(a)For information provided in diskette Rs.50/- per floppy
Or floppy.
Rs.2/ per page
(b) For information provided in printed
Form/publication or photocopy for
Extracts from the publication


Model form of application for seeking RTI.