Right
to Information Act of 2005 enacted by two houses of Parliament has become
operative from 12th October, 2005.Now this law has become applicable to whole
of India
This
enactment gives a very important right to citizens. It is common knowledge to
everybody that in most of the Government Departments and Municipal Corporations
there is high degree of corruption. If the palms of the officers and the staff
concerned are not normally greased nothing moves. Normally, only when the
people grease the palms of the officers their things are done. This Act gives
power to the honest citizen or honest developer to get his things done if there
is gross delay.
Let
us first understand certain important aspects of this legislation. Section 2(j)
of the Act defines right to information. The same reads as under:-
“Right to information” means the right to information accessible under this Act which
is held by or under the control of any public authority and includes the right
to-
2)
Taking notes, extracts or certified copies of documents of records;
3)
Taking certified samples of material;
4)Obtaining information in the form of diskettes, floppies, tapes, video
cassettes or in any other electronic mode or through printouts where such
information is stored in a computer or in any other device.
Now
this right to get information is not
restricted only to Government and Municipal Corporations.
Let
us see some practical uses –
The
plans are submitted to the BMT for sanction. There is delay as the palms of the
concerned officers are not greased. It is now possible for a citizen to ask the
question and collect information like-
How
many other plans were submitted on the day for sanction by the people?
What
has happened to the said plans?
Out
of them how many plans are passed?
What
is the status of his plan?
It
is also possible to ask for inspection of document, records, taking notes and
obtain certified copies thereof.
Under
the Act all the administrative offices of public authorities have to appoint
Public Information Officer (PIO). We can apply for information to PIO of the
concerned office. The information is to be provided within thirty day. There
are certain charges liveable which are more or less considered as token amount.
If the information is not provided or wrongfully refused, we can go in appeal
to appellate authority who is an official in the same department, senior to the
PIO of the Department.
Against
the decision of the Appellate Authority we can appeal to the State or Central
Information Commissioner which is an independent constitutional authority.
The
most important thing is that the Act imposes penalty on PIO at the rate of Rs
250/- per day for the dealy or for malicions denial of information. This
particular provision helps the citizen to get information in time.
All
the offices shall have display boards giving the name of the PIO and such other
relevant information. In case you are not able to get at the PIO concerned you
can address an application to PIO at the Head Office. Even if you send application by mistake to
the wrong PIO he is supposed to forward the same to the concerned PIO. Certain
information is available at the website.
Information
which affect the sovereignty and integrity of India
If
more and more people seek information under this Act there will be reduction in
corrupt practices leading to efficiency
and transparency in public offices.
FORMAT OF THE APPLICATION
To,
The
Public Information Officer
(Name
of the Office with address)
1.
Full Name of applicant.
2.
Address.
3.
Particulars of the information required:-
(i) Subject matter of information.
(ii) The period to which the
information relates.
(iii) Description of the information
required.
(iv) Whether the information is
required by post or in person. (The actual postal charges shall be
included as additional fees)
4.
Whether the applicant is below poverty line (if yes, then the photocopy of the
proof thereof).
Place
(Signature of the
Applicant)
Date:
More,
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