The Department of Personnel and Training, in collaboration with the Department of Posts, has launched the “eIPO” (Electronic Indian Postal Order) service. This new facility allows Indian citizens, particularly those abroad, to electronically purchase Indian Postal Orders to pay fees for seeking information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005. Payments can be made online via the e-Post Office Portal (epostoffice.gov.in) or through the India Post website (indiapost.gov.in), accepting debit and credit cards. Users must register on the website and select the specific Ministry or Department from which they wish to obtain information. The generated eIPO, with its unique number, needs to be attached to the RTI application, whether filed physically or electronically. While this service streamlines the payment process for RTI applications, all other provisions of the RTI Act, including eligibility criteria and time limits, remain in effect. Each eIPO can only be used once per application. Public Information Officers (CPIOs) are advised to maintain records of received eIPOs to prevent misuse and can verify their authenticity through the designated India Post portal.
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No.1/44/2009-IR
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances \& Pensions
Department of Personnel \& Training
North Block, New Delhi
Dated the $22^{\text {nd }}$ March, 2013
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject – Electronic Indian Postal Order – launching of.
On the initiative of Department of Personnel and Training, Department of Posts has launched a service called “eIPO” (Electronic Indian Postal Order) w.e.f. 22/03/2013. This is a facility to purchase an Indian Postal Order electronically by paying a fee on-line through e-Post Office Portal i.e. http://www.epostoffice.gov.in. It can also be accessed through India Post website www.indiapost.gov.in . As per RTI Rules, 2012, fees may be paid by electronic means, if facility for receiving fees through electronic means is available with the public authority.
2. At present, this facility is provided only for Indian Citizens abroad across the globe to facilitate them to seek information from the Central Public Information Officers (CPIOs) under the RTI Act, 2005. Debit and Credit cards can be used to purchase eIPO.
3. The user needs to get himself registered at the website. He has to select the Ministry/Department from whom he desires to seek the information under the RTI Act and the eIPO so generated can be used to seek information from that Ministry/Department only. A printout of the eIPO is required to be attached with the RTI application. If the RTI application is being filed electronically, eIPO is required to be attached as an attachment.
4. It may be noted that this facility is only for purchasing an Indian Postal Order electronically. All the requirements for filing an RTI application as well as other provisions regarding eligibility, time limit, exemptions etc., as provided in the RTI Act, 2005 will continue to apply.5. An eIPO so generated must be used only once with an RTI application. To check any multiple use of the same eIPO, the CPIOs shall maintain a record of the eIPOs so received from Indian Citizens abroad. In case of any doubt, the details of eIPO can be verified from the above mentioned site/portal of India Post.
Sandeep Jain
Deputy Secretary
- All the Ministries/Departments of the Government of India
- Union Public Service Commission, Lok Sabha Secretariat, Rajya Sabha Secretariat, Cabinet Secretariat, Central Vigilance Commission, President’s Secretariat, Vice-President’s Secretariat, Prime Minister’s Office, Planning Commission, Election Commission.
- Central Information Commission.
- Staff Selection Commission, CGO Complex, New Delhi
- O/o the Comptroller & Auditor General of India, 10, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi.