This Office Memorandum from the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of Personnel & Training, addresses a concern raised by the Central Information Commission regarding the behavior of public authority officers towards individuals seeking information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005. It emphasizes that public authorities and their Public Information Officers (PIOs) have a responsibility not only to furnish information but also to provide necessary assistance and act courteously towards information seekers, respecting their dignity. The memorandum highlights the importance of training programs for PIOs and other concerned officers on the RTI Act, with a specific focus on sensitizing them to the need for courteous interaction. Furthermore, it reiterates the statutory requirement for public authorities to proactively disclose relevant information under Section 4 of the Act without delay. All Ministries and Departments are directed to bring the contents of this memorandum to the notice of all concerned and ensure compliance. The Department of Personnel & Training (DOPT) is requested to issue instructions to training institutes to include a component on courteous behavior in their RTI training programs. Copies are also to be sent to Chief Secretaries of all States/UTs.
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No. 4/9/2008-IR
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances \& Pensions
Department of Personnel \& Training
North Block, New Delhi
Dated the $24^{\text {th }}$ June, 2008
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Courteous behavior with the persons seeking information under the RTI Act, 2005.
The Central Information Commission has brought to the notice of this Department that officers of some of the public authorities do not behave properly with the persons who seek information under the RTI Act. The undersigned is directed to say that the responsibility of a public authority and its public information officers (PIO) is not confined to furnish information but also to provide necessary help to the information seeker, wherever necessary. While providing information or rendering help to a person, it is important to be courteous to the information seeker and to respect his dignity.
2. Many organizations/training institutions are conducting training programmes on the Right to Information Act. The public authorities should ensure that their PIOs and other concerned officers are exposed to such training programmes. The public authorities may also organize training programmes at their own level. While imparting such training, the officers should be sensitized about the need of courteous behaviour with the information seekers.
3. The Commission has also expressed concern over the fact that many public authorities have not published relevant information under section 4 of the Act. All the public authorities should ensure that they make suo motu disclosure as provided in the Act without any further delay. It is a statutory requirement, which should not be compromised with.4. All Ministries/Departments etc. are requested to bring the contents of this OM to the notice of all concerned and ensure compliance thereof.
To
- All the Ministries / Departments of the Government of India.
- Union Public Service Commission/ Lok Sabha Sectt./ 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/ State Information Commissions.
- Staff Selection Commission, CGO Complex, New Delhi.
5 O/o the Comptroller & Auditor General of India, 10, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi.
6. All officers/Desks/Sections, DOP&T and Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare.
Copy to: JS(Training), DOPT
With the request to issue necessary instructions to all the training institutes conducting training programmes on the Right to Information to the effect that the programme should have a component on sensitizing the officers about the need of courteous behaviour with the information seekers.
Copy also to:
Chief Secretaries of all the States/UTs.