Introducing RTI

What is Right to Information?

Every citizen has a right to know how the Government is functioning. Right to Information empowers every citizen to seek any information from the Government, inspect any Government documents and seek certified photocopies thereof. Some laws on Right to Information also empower citizens to official inspect any Government work or to take sample of material used in any work.

Right to Information includes the right to:

1. Inspect works, documents, records.

2. Take notes, extracts or certified copies of documents or records.

3. Take certified samples of material.

4. Obtain information in form of printouts, diskettes, floppies, tapes, video , cassettes or in any other electronic mode or through printouts.

"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.


"record" includes:

a) Any document, manuscript and file
b) Any microfilm, microfiche, and facsimile copy of a document
c) Any reproduction of image or images embodied in such microfilm (whether enlarged or not); and
d) Any other material produced by a computer or any other device;

An applicant cannot ask for opinions/advice/views under the RTI Act, unless the opinion/advice/view is already on "record".

However, under Section 4(1)(d), an applicant can ask for "reasons" behind a administrative or quasi judicial decision of a public authority, especially if he is a "affected person”.

RTI FOR BEGINNERS – A SIMPLE GUIDE

Most of the citizens of India are now aware of the tool called RTI. But how many of us have actually filed an RTI Application ?

It is observed that most of the people who need some significant public information are afraid to file an RTI Application just because they do not know "How to start". First we must understand that RTI Application is actually a set of questions that we are asking the Public Information Officer and so, it does not have to be in a very specific formal format. This means that, to file your first RTI, you must do the following :

Step 1 :- Prepare a list of questions. Make sure that you have numbered your questions.

Step 2 :- Insert an introductory text which can be like a letter. It can contain some general text like - Respected Sir, Kindly provide me the following information... folowed by your questions.

Step 3 :- Insert a footer after the questions. Here you should specify the serial number of the Postal Order which you have used as application fee. Footer can contain information regarding whether the information sought is public information. Or, whether you are a concerned party and you can also specify a reason for asking for this information (optional). Conclude your letter with your signature.

Step 4 :- Like any other letter, you can put a subject line stating Request for information under Right to information act 2005

Step 5:- Add the From and To fields appropriately.

Using a paper clip, attach the postal order with your letter and put it in the envelope. Needless to say, write the address of the addressee on the envelope.

Your RTI Application format is ready. This will of course be modified according to the information sought.