RTI ACT

The Government of India has enacted "The Right to Information Act 2005" to set out the practical regime of Right to Information (RTI) for citizens to secure access to information under the control of public authorities to promote transparency and accountability in the working of any public authority.

What is right to information?

The RTI provides access to the information which is held by or under the control of any public authority and includes the right to inspect work, documents, 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.

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 provide information?

Every public authority shall designate a Central Assistant Public Information Officer (CAPIO) at various levels, who will receive the requests for information from the public. The Central Public Information Officers (CPIO) in all administrative units/office will arrange for providing necessary information to the public. The application/request for information must be disposed off either by providing the information or rejecting the request, within a period of 30 days.

EXEMPTION FROM DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION (SECTION 8(1) (J) OF RTI ACT,2005

This section states that "Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, there shall be no obligation to give any citizen" Information which relates to personal information the disclosure of which has no relationship to any public activity or interest, or which would cause unwarranted invasion of the privacy of the individual unless the Central Public Information officer or State Public Information officer or the Appellate Authority, as the case may be, is satisfied that the larger public interest justifies the disclosure of such Information: Provided that the information which cannot be denied to the Parliament or a State Legislature shall not be denied to any person.

SPIO - Officer on Special Duty,

1st Appellate Authority – Member Secretary