Download - How to File RTI Application - Hemant Goswami
Hemant Goswami
What Role Does the State What Role Does the State What Role Does the State What Role Does the State have?have?have?have?
To ensure�that�everyone’s�rights�are�protected�and�
everyone�is�………………
2. Enjoyingitwithinreasonableparametersof‘Civility’ …………
i.e.……..Inaccordancewiththemutuallyagreedupon
safeguardsforuniformenjoymentofnaturalrights…
[ConstitutionandLaws]
State has no business to walk even a small step
further than this ….
In IndiaIn IndiaIn IndiaIn India
Chapter III of the Indian Constitution can said to be
India’s declaration of Human Rights
Despite�this,therehavebeennumerousdilutions….
We�havealsocarriedovertheburdenofourlegacyof
oppression…….Carrieditforwardfromtheunfairrulers
andoccupierswithlittleapplicationofmind.
Article 19(1)(a)Article 19(1)(a)Article 19(1)(a)Article 19(1)(a) can be said to be the First Right
Article 19(1)(a)Article 19(1)(a)Article 19(1)(a)Article 19(1)(a)
19.�Protection�of�certain�rights�regarding�freedom�of�speech,�etc.�- (1)
Allcitizensshallhavetheright- (a)Tofreedomofspeechand
expression;
There can be no freedom, if there is no “Freedom of Speech.” In all oppressions, freedom of expression is the first causality ….
In�INDIA�we�have�never�seen�true�‘Freedom�of�Speech�and�
Expression.’ Ifthisrightisnotensured(andsafeguarded)thenwe
areboundtolooseourfreedomanddemocracy
What is RIGHT TO INFORMATION (RTI)What is RIGHT TO INFORMATION (RTI)What is RIGHT TO INFORMATION (RTI)What is RIGHT TO INFORMATION (RTI)
� Alegislation(Act)passedbytheIndianParliamentin
2005
� Citizen’srighttoobtaininformationfromanypublic
authorityrelatingtoitsadministration,operationsor
decisions.
� Afundamentaldemocraticright.
� It is a human right to access information, to seek
receiveandimpartinformation
� Thefundamentalrighttofreedomofexpressionand
uponwhichallotherrightsdepend
RTI and 19(1)(a)RTI and 19(1)(a)RTI and 19(1)(a)RTI and 19(1)(a)
If free flow of information is missing, then how can
there be freedom of speech and expression?
� Openandfreedialogueis�possible�only�when�sufficient�
information�is�available forfurtherdeliberationsand
discussion
� Dialogue,discussionsandexpressionmust�be�free�from�
any�retaliation oroppressive/suppressiveaction
Right to InformationRight to InformationRight to InformationRight to Information
RTI is part of this basic Human Right …….. It’s the most basic of the rights
�Makesitmandatoryonthecustodian/trusteesforsafeguarding‘Civility’ toshareallinformation,inputsandoutputwhichwasprocessedduringthe‘ServicetothePublic/Humanity’
� Intentstoopenupdialoguefornecessarycorrectiveactionandensuredevelopmentintherightanddesireddirection
�Protectequaldistributionofgoodamongall………..Allotherrightsdependentonthisright
Use of RTI for corrective Use of RTI for corrective Use of RTI for corrective Use of RTI for corrective actionactionactionaction
What RTI is being used for since 2005
• Exposingwrongsdonetooneself
• Publicresources
• Exposingpubliccorruption
• Speedinguptheprocesswithoutthe
SPEED…money
• Correctivepolicyinterventionbycitizengroups
What RTI has actually doneWhat RTI has actually doneWhat RTI has actually doneWhat RTI has actually done
Brought greater
degree of ‘freedom of
speech and
expression’…….. paved way for comprehensive human rights
This single act has helped human rights more than anything else
Provisions under the RTI ActProvisions under the RTI ActProvisions under the RTI ActProvisions under the RTI Act
PROCESSOFFILINGANRTIAPPLICATION
� InformationcanbesoughtunderSection4/6
� ApplicationfiledunderSection6
� Canseekinformationbutnotaskquestions/opinions
� Informationhastobeprovidedwithin30days
� Ifnoinformationisprovided,firstappeal(Undersection19)withinthepublicauthority(usuallyaseniorofficer)ismadeafter30days
� Ifyouarestillnotsatisfied,fileasecondappeal(Undersection19)withInformationCommissionwithin90days
� Ifnoreplyisreceived,fileacomplaint(undersection18)directlywiththeInformationCommissioner
Section 2Section 2Section 2Section 2Section2(f) – Information‘meansanymaterialinanyform,including
records,documents,memos,e-mails,opinions,advices,pressreleases,
circulars,orders,logbooks,contracts,reports,papers,samples,models,
datamaterialheldinanyelectronicformandinformationrelatingto
anyprivatebodywhichcanbeaccessedbyapublicauthorityunder
anyotherlawforthetimebeinginforce’
Section2(i) – recordincludes
(a)anydocument,manuscript&file;
(b)anymicrofilm,microficheandfacsimilecopyofadocument;
(c)anyreproductionofimageorimagesembodiedinsuchmicrofilm
(whetherenlargedornot);and
(d)anyothermaterialproducedbyacomputeroranyotherdevice
What is RTI?What is RTI?What is RTI?What is RTI?
Section2(j) – righttoinformationmeans‘therighttoinformation
accessibleunderthisActwhichisheldbyorunderthecontrolofany
publicauthorityandincludestherightto-
(i)inspectionofwork,documents,records;
(ii)takingnotes,extractsorcertifiedcopiesofdocumentsorrecords;
(iii)takingcertifiedsamplesofmaterial;
(iv)obtaininginformationintheformofdiskettes,floppies,tapes,
videocassettesorinanyotherelectronicmodeorthroughprintouts
wheresuchinformationisstoredinacomputerorinanyother
device
Who is a Public AuthorityWho is a Public AuthorityWho is a Public AuthorityWho is a Public Authority
Section�2�(h) – Publicauthoritymeans‘anyauthorityorbodyorinstitutionofself-governmentestablishedorconstituted
(a)byorundertheConstitution;
(b)byanyotherlawmadebyParliament;
(c)byanyotherlawmadebystatelegislature;
(d)bynotificationissuedormadebytheappropriategovernment,andincludesany
• (i)bodyowned,controlledorsubstantiallyfinanced;
• (ii)non-governmentorganizationsubstantiallyfinanced,directlyorindirectlybyfundsprovidedbytheappropriategovernment’
ProProProPro----Active DisclosureActive DisclosureActive DisclosureActive Disclosure
Section�4 – EveryPublicAuthorityshallmaintainallitsrecordsdulycataloguedandindexedinamannerandtheformwhichfacilitatestherighttoinformationandensurethatallrecordsthatareappropriatetobecomputerizedare,withinareasonabletimeandsubjecttoavailabilityofresources,computerizedandconnectedthroughanetworkalloverthecountryondifferentsystemssothataccesstosuchrecordsfacilitated– alsotoprovidetheinformationsuo motu tothepublicatregularintervalsthroughvariousmeansofcommunications,includinginternet–dissemination,keepinginmindthecosteffectiveness,locallanguage.
How to File a RTI Application?How to File a RTI Application?How to File a RTI Application?How to File a RTI Application?
Section�6�– File�an�RTI�Application�Under�Section�6
Section�6.�(1) Aperson,whodesirestoobtainanyinformationunderthisAct,shallmakearequestinwritingorthroughelectronicmeansinEnglishorHindiorintheofficiallanguageoftheareainwhichtheapplication�is�being�made,�accompanying�such�fee asmaybeprescribed,to—
(a)theCentralPublicInformationOfficer(CPIO) orStatePublicInformationOfficer(SPIO), asthecasemaybe,oftheconcernedpublicauthority;
(b)theCentralAssistantPublicInformationOfficerorStateAssistantPublicInformationOfficer,asthecasemaybe,specifyingtheparticularsoftheinformationsoughtbyhimorher:
Providedthatwheresuchrequestcannotbemadeinwriting,theCentralPublicInformationOfficerorStatePublicInformationOfficer,asthecasemaybe,shall�render�all�reasonable�assistance tothepersonmakingtherequestorallytoreducethesameinwriting.
How to Draft?How to Draft?How to Draft?How to Draft?
� Nospecificformatisrequired
�AddresstoPIOfollowedbyaddressofthedepartment
� Applicationshouldcontain;
�Name
�Address
�KindofInformation(TohelpthePIO)
�Durationforwhichinformationrequired(TohelpthePIO)
�ExactInformation,asrequired;preferablyparagraphwise
�Inspectionclause,ifyoualsowishtoinspectthefile
�Detailsofthefeedeposited(CanbedepositedbyPO,DD,Cash,etc)
How to Draft?How to Draft?How to Draft?How to Draft?
Somepracticalguidelines:-
� Bebrieftotheextentpossible
� Don’taskquestions/opinionwhichdonotexistonfiles
� Canaskquestionsandseekanswersofallsuchsubjectswhichexistonanydocument,filenoting
� Beclearandtothepoint
� Coverallpossibilitiestoavoidpossibleevasiontoanswer;andbeasspecificaspossible
� Alwaysrequestforinspectionofdocumentsinadditiontoinformationrequest
LetLetLetLet’’’’s draft a RTI requests draft a RTI requests draft a RTI requests draft a RTI request
APPLICATION�UNDER�THE�“RIGHT�TO�INFORMATION�ACT” INFORMATION�REQUIRED�UNDER�SECTION�4(1)(c)/(d)�AND�6
Date : July23,2009
Reference�No : BBS/2009/PMO/236
PIO�FROM�WHOM�INFORMATION�IS�REQUIRED:
CentralPublicInformationOfficer,
MinistryofHealthandFamilyWelfare
Nirman Bhawan,Maulana AzadRd.
NewDelhi- 110001
NAME�OF�THE�APPLICANT:�
HemantGoswami
ADDRESS:��
HemantGoswami,TobaccoFreeIndiaCoalitionC/oBurningBrainSociety,#3,GlassOffice,BusinessArcade,HotelShivalikview,Sector17-E,Chandigarh160017
Telephone: +91-172-5165555
E-Mail: [email protected]
LetLetLetLet’’’’s draft a RTI requests draft a RTI requests draft a RTI requests draft a RTI request
TohelpthePIO:
SUBJECT�MATTER�OF�INFORMATION�REQUIRED:�
InformationpertainstotheuseandprovisionsofCigaretteandOtherTobaccoProductsActandRules.Specificinformationw.r.t.implementationofprovisionsrelatedto“Pictorialwarnings” ontobaccoproductsissought.MinutesofthemeetingofGoM ontheissueisalsorequested.
DURATION�FOR�WHICH�INFORMATION�IS�REQUIRED:
Informationisrequiredforthelastthreeyearsorasspecificallymentionedinthisapplication.InformationbeprovidedtillthedateofprovidingcompletereplyunderthisRTIApplicationand/ortillthedateoffinaldisposalofthisRTIapplication.
LetLetLetLet’’’’s draft a RTI requests draft a RTI requests draft a RTI requests draft a RTI request
DESCRIPTION�OF�INFORMATION�REQUIRED:�
1) Providecertifiedcopiesofalllettersandcommunication(Whetherelectronicorotherwise)written/sent/receivedand/orcarriedoutbytheofficeoftheMinistryofHealthandFamilyWelfarebetweenJanuary1,2005todate,withanyotherministryand/orauthorityofGovernmentofIndiaoranyStateGovernmentw.r.t theissueofPictorialWarningontobaccoproducts.
2) Providecertifiedcopiesofallnotifications,orders,instructionsandcommunicationbytheMinistryofHealthandFamilyWelfareontheissuerelatedto“Picturewarning” ontobaccoproducts.
3) Providecertifiedcopiesofminutesofallsuchmeetings(SinceJanuary1,2005tothedateofsupplyofinformation)inwhichtheissueof“graphicwarnings” or“pictorialwarnings” oranyotherkindofwarningsontobaccoproductshasbeendiscussed.
4) Providecertifiedcopiesofminutesofallmeetings(SinceJanuary1,2005tothedateofsupplyofinformation)bythe“GroupofMinisters” inwhichtheissueof“graphicwarnings” or“pictorialwarnings” oranyotherkindofwarningsontobaccoproductshasbeendiscussed.
5) Providecertifiedcopiesofminutesofallmeetingsand/orinteractions(SinceJanuary1,2005tothedateofsupplyofinformation)withanyotherMinistryofGovernmentofIndiainwhichtheissueof“graphicwarnings” or“pictorialwarnings” oranyotherkindofwarningsontobaccoproductshasbeendiscussed.
6) Providecertifiedcopiesofallcommunicationreceivedfromanypoliticalleader,partyand/orfunctionaryinwhichtheissueof“graphicwarnings” or“pictorialwarnings” oranyotherkindofwarningsontobaccoproductshasbeenraised.
7) Etc……………..
LetLetLetLet’’’’s draft a RTI requests draft a RTI requests draft a RTI requests draft a RTI request
INSPECTION�CLAUSE:
AfterthesupplyoftheinformationfromPara1to15,theundersignedwould,athisdiscretion,also
liketoinspectalltherecords(bothelectronicandpaperrecords),documents/letters,communication,notes,books,ledgers,accountbooks,etc.andthefileswhicharereliedbyyourdepartmentand/oronthebasisofwhichtheinformationtotheabove-mentionedrequestissupplied/tobeprovided.Kindlyprovidetheworkinghoursofyourofficeandthename,contactdetailsandexactlocationoftherecordofficer/otherofficialsinwhosecustodythesaidrecordsareavailableandcanbeinspected.
a. Theundersignedrequestsyoutoprovideextracts,copiesofdocumentsandvouchers,certifiedcopies,electronicdocuments,e-mailsandrelevantportion/notingofanyandallthedocumentsrequiredbytheapplicantaftertheinspectionbytheapplicant(and/orhisrepresentative)orotherwise.Duringtheinspection,theapplicantmaybeallowedtotakenotesfromthedocumentsandseekcopiesofalloranyofthedocumentsavailableinpaperorelectronicformat.
b. Providetheuniquefile-numbers/record-numberofallthefiles(asassignedtothem)onthebasisofwhichtheabovementionedinformationrecord/information(assoughtinthisapplication)isbeing/tobe
LetLetLetLet’’’’s draft a RTI requests draft a RTI requests draft a RTI requests draft a RTI request
OTHER�DETAILS
Theinformationmayalsobee-mailedatthee-mailaddresshemant@rightto.info.�
Incaseanyspecificinformationheadrequirepaymentofanyfurtherfee;therest
oftheinformationmaynotbewithheldandbeprovidedimmediately.Thecomplete
informationasrequestedalongwiththeintimationabouttheworkinghoursduring
whichtheundersignedcanmakeinspectionmustbeintimatedthroughe-mail
immediately.
• Thedetailsoffeedepositedisasunder;
• AsumofRs.10/- isdepositedvideIPONo.XXXXXdatedxx/yy/zzzz
drawnon‘AccountOfficer/PIO,NameoftheDepartment’
If improper information is If improper information is If improper information is If improper information is receivedreceivedreceivedreceived
FileFirstAppealUnderSection19:[Simpleoneparagraphappeal]
Addressto:FirstAppellateAuthority,NameoftheDepartmentSubject:FirstAppealUnderRTIAct
Anappealisherebymadetoyoutorequestyourgoodselfthatalltheinformation
asrequestedthroughmyRTIapplications,bearingreferencenumberanddateasmentionedabove,beprovidedimmediately.Theinformation,asprovidedisdeficientonthefollowinggrounds;
• 1.XXXXXXXXXXX
• 2.YYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
Sd/-
If no information is still If no information is still If no information is still If no information is still receivedreceivedreceivedreceived
If�not�satisfied�even�after�first�appeal;
� FileSecondappealtoInformationCommission
Check– www.cic.gov.in
� AttachyourRTIApplication(Selfattested)
� ProofofPayments
� Anyreplyyouhavereceived(Selfattested)
� Indexthedocuments;makeproperitemizedcomplaint,sticktotheinformation
soughtandthatwhichhasnotbeenprovided.
� Ifnoinformationisreceived,fileadirectcomplaintunderSection18
totheInformationCommission.Noneedtofilethefirstappealin
suchcases.
What you can do?What you can do?What you can do?What you can do?
Can you take complete responsibility of 50 yards radius around you?
My Philosophy of Citizens’ Action
Thank YouThank YouThank YouThank You
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Hemant Goswami