We can demand accountability and transparency with these tools

The Right to Information (RTI) Act gives Indian citizens the right to demand and gain access to information that is controlled by a public authority and available in public domain. One can ask for this information by filing an RTI application with the concerned public authority.

What kind of information can be asked for using the RTI Act?

Issues pertaining to the following could be raised under the RTI Act:

Roads, water, electricity, environment, public transport and other amenities

Passport, PAN card, ration card, Aadhar card

Government allocation of funds

Functioning of government authorities and organizations

Where is the RTI Act applicable?

The RTI Act is applicable in all states and Union Territories of India except Jammu and Kashmir. It can be sent to all authorities funded or controlled by the central, state or local government; NGOs financed directly or indirectly by government funds; and courts of law.

Where should an RTI application be filed?

Applications should be sent to the concerned central or state public information officers (PIOs). For instance, if some information related to the construction of a road is required, the application should be made to the PIO of the Department of Transport, Roads and Buildings. The application can also be made to the Central or State Assistant Public Information Officer, as the case may be.

To fill an application online, click here.

Is there a fee for filing an RTI application?

For those who are above the poverty line, the fee for filing an RTI application is a court fee stamp of Rs 10. Please ensure that you attach this to your application. There is also a fee for the time spent on the inspection of the records, the cost of printing / paper, etc. The concerned public information officer will inform you about the same as a response to your application. To know more about these fees, click here.

Does the government respond to every RTI application?

All public authorities are supposed to respond to RTI applications within 30 days of receiving them.

However:

If an application is made to the Central or State Assistant Public Information Officer, a response can be expected in 35 days.

If the information sought concerns the life or liberty of a person, the same shall be provided within 48 hours of the application being made.

If an application does not get a response, it means that it has been rejected.

On what grounds can an RTI application be rejected?

An RTI application is rejected if:

It is incomplete.

It asks for information that is or could be life-threatening for another person.

It seeks information that is not related to public interest (such as details about a private school).

It asks about an event or matter that took place more than 20 years before the date of request for information.

It involves an infringement of a copyright belonging to a person.

It seeks information that would interfere in a legal process of investigation.

To read more about the same, click here.

What if an application pertaining to one authority is made to another?

If an application is made to one authority requesting for information held by another, it shall be transferred to the concerned authority and the applicant will be informed of the same. In this case, a response can be expected in 35 days.

What must one do if an RTI application is not accepted?

If an RTI application is not accepted, one can file a complaint with the Central or State Information Commission. A complaint can also be filed for wrongful rejection, delay in response, being provided with misleading information, being required to pay an unreasonable fee, or for any other matter related to requesting or obtaining access to records available in public domain.