This document details the new Right to Information Rules, 2010, which supersede the 2005 rules concerning fees, costs, and appeal procedures. It outlines the process for requesting information, including application fees and the fees for providing information in various formats. The rules also specify procedures for appeals to the First Appellate Authority and the Central Information Commission...
Government directives have been issued to ensure consistency in the fees charged for accessing information under the Right to Information Act, 2005. Following recommendations from the 2nd Administrative Reforms Commission, all States and Competent Authorities are urged to review their existing fee rules. The aim is to align these rules with the Central Government’s fee structure, preventing...
This document clarifies that Indian Postal Orders are an acceptable method for paying fees under the Right to Information Act, 2005. It has come to the Department’s attention that some public authorities are not accepting payments via Indian Postal Orders. The document emphasizes that refusing to accept fee payments through Indian Postal Orders can be considered a refusal to accept the...
This directive emphasizes that individuals seeking information under the Right to Information Act, 2005, can pay the prescribed fees using cash, demand drafts, bankers’ cheques, or Indian Postal Orders (IPOs). It has come to notice that some public authorities are refusing to accept IPOs. The document clarifies that such refusal is equivalent to rejecting an application and can lead to...
The government is reinforcing the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, based on suggestions from the Central Chief Information Commissioner. Key initiatives include mandating a separate chapter in the annual reports of all government ministries, departments, and public sector undertakings (PSUs) detailing RTI application statistics, denial cases, and efforts to improve implementation...
This document outlines the establishment and operational procedures for Right to Information (RTI) Cells within government departments. These cells are designed to centralize and streamline the receipt, processing, and dispatch of RTI applications and appeals. Key functions include acting as a single point of contact, ensuring timely responses, transferring applications to the correct...
This office memorandum addresses confusion arising from the inclusion of the word ‘like’ in a previous memorandum concerning a High Court of Bombay at Goa decision. It clarifies that the word ‘like’, when used before ‘why’ in the context of defining information under the Right to Information Act, 2005, should be treated as deleted. The memorandum reiterates...
This memorandum directs all Ministries and Departments to ensure that public authorities under their jurisdiction upload their quarterly and annual returns to the Central Information Commission’s web-based system on time. This is crucial for the timely preparation and submission of the Central Information Commission’s annual report to Parliament, as mandated by the Right to...
A Task Force has been formed by the Department of Personnel & Training to ensure effective implementation of Section 4 of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005. This section mandates proactive disclosure of information by public authorities. The Task Force, comprising members from various government departments and non-governmental organizations, will review the existing provisions...
This document clarifies common misconceptions about the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, based on a Supreme Court observation. It emphasizes that the Act grants access only to information that already exists and is held by or under the control of public authorities. Public Information Officers are not obligated to create new information, interpret existing data, solve applicant problems, or...