Right to information (RTI)

History of RTI
• RTI stands for right to information.
• Before RT act ,Right to Information is a part of fundamental rights under article 19(1)(a) of
the constitution. It says that every citizen has freedom of speech and expression.
• RTI Act 2005 replaced Freedom of Information Act, 2002.
• RTI mandate timely response to citizen requests for government information.

Introduction
• RTI Bill is passed in Lok Sabha on 11 May ,2005 and Rajya Sabha on 12 May ,2005 and
by President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam on 15 June 2005 and comes fully into force on 12
October
2005
RTI Empowers every citizen to seek any information from the government, Public Officers
and Public Authority.
• Some information which are confidential in nature are not provided to Public by Official
Secret Act, 1923 otherwise all information is disclosed.

Objectives of RTI
• To empower the citizen.
• To promote transparent environment and Accountability in Government Department.
• To reduce the corruption.
• It helps the citizen to have knowledge about the working of the Government.
• Democracy will be in force.

Definition of “Information”
• 'Information" means any material in any form, including records, documents, memos, e-
mails, opinions, advices, press releases, circulars, orders, logbooks.
contracts, reports, papers,
samples, models, data material held in any electronic form and information relating to
any private body which can be accessed by a public authority under any other law for the
time being in force.
 Section 3 of RTI Act, 2005
• All citizens shall have right to information.
• The right is available to citizens of India.
• NRI can also file RTI

Public information officer (PIO)

• Two types of PIO (Public Information Officer)
APIO: Assistant Public Information Officer
PIO: State PIO and Central PIO

• Both State PIO and Central PIO will be responsible for giving information to
the Applicant who files
RTI Application.

Manner of filing RTI

1. A person who desires to obtain any information under the act, he can make a
request or application either in writing or through Electronic form (typed format) in
English, Hindi or official language of such area.

2. A person who desires to obtain information must pay Rs. 10 as fee.

This fee vary according to the state and other conditions. There is no fees for people
below poverty line.

3. An applicant making request for information shall not be required to give any
reason for requesting the information.

4. An applicant is not needed to give personal detail except those that may be
necessary for contacting him.
 Disposal of request
• APIO: He must give information in maximum 35 days{30 days + 5 days as per section
5(2) } of the receipt of request.
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• PIO: He must give information in maximum 30 days of the receipt of request.

• Life and liberty: where the information sought for concerns the life or liberty of a
person, the same shall be provided in maximum 48 hours of the receipt of request.
• If information sought belonged to Third party : He must give information in maximum
40 days.
If application is rejected, then APIO & PIO have to give suitable reason for rejection of
application.
When the PIO and APIO give no reply after lapse of time.
When an applicant is not satisfied with the reply of the request.
I

• In the above 3 cases an applicant has a right to appeal under section 19.

Exemption from disclosure of information under RTI

• National security, strategic, scientific and economic interest.
• Sovereignty and Integrity of India
• Information forbidden by court ot law
• Trade secret (Patent or Formula)
• Commercial confidence, trade secret, Intellectual Property Right.
• Information the disclosure of which would endanger the life of physical safety of
any person
• Personal information which are not concerned with public.
• Information received from foreign government in confidential.
• Information which breach the privilege of parliament
• Information related to cabinet paper
• Information which is related to investigation.
• Information related which is covered under Official Secrets Act,1923
Check here the step-by-step guide to file RTI online.

Here is how to file an RTI:

Visit the official RTI portal https://rtionline.gov.in.

For submitting an RTI application click on submit request option.

On clicking on submit request option 'Guidelines for use of RTI ONLINE PORTAL' screen
will be displayed. This screen contains various guidelines for using RTI online portal. Click on
the checkbox and then click on submit button.

Then Online RTI Request Form screen will be displayed. Select Ministry or Department for
which the applicant wants to file an RTI from Select Ministry/Department/Apex body
dropdown.

The applicant will receive SMS alerts in case he/she provides a mobile number. The fields
marked * are mandatory while the others are optional.