right to information act 2005.pptxxxxxxxx

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1. Right to Information Act, 2005 An Overview

2. What is RTI Act? Provides a legal framework of citizens’ democratic right to access to information under the control of public authorities ; To promote transparency and accountability in the functioning of every public authority

3. Who is a Public Authority ? b o dy o r “ P u b l i c A u t h o r i t y” m e a n s a ny a u t h or i t y o r institution established or constituted By or under the constitution; By any other law made by Parliament; By any other law made by State Legislature; B y n o ti f i c a t i o n i ss u e d o r o r d e r m a d e by t he a p p r o p ria t e Government and includes any body owned, controlled or substantially financed, non - Government organization substantially financed directly or indirectly by funds provided by the appropriate Government;

4. What does ‘information’ mean ? Records Do cu m e n t s Memos Opinions & advices Press releases Circulars, orders & logbooks Contracts Reports, papers, samples & models

5. Need for RTI Act Because it helps to: Promote openness, transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority. Reduce Corruption Prevent administrative arbitrariness Bride the gap between providers and recipient of public services Make citizens part of decision making Make administrative responsive Strengthen the foundations of democracy

6. Procedure for requesting information A pply i n w riti n g o r t h r o u g h e l e c tr o n i c means in English or Hindi or in the official l a n g u ag e o f t h e ar e a , t o t h e P u b l i c Information Officer [PIO], specifying the particulars of the information sought for. R e a s o n fo r s e e ki n g i n f o r m ati o n ar e n ot required to be given; Pay fees as may be prescribed.

7. Application fee Rs. 10/- . If i n fo r m a t i on i s r eq u i r ed i n e le c t r on i c me di a – f l op p y / CD, etc additional charges will be applicable. Photocopy charges of Rs. 2/- per page. I n spe c t i on c h a r g es o f r e l e v a n t f il e s , d o c ume n t s a n d records – No fee for first hour of inspection. Rs. 5/- for every subsequent hour or fraction thereof. FEES AND CHARGES

8. P u b l i c Processing expenses incurred by the Information officer to be intimated in writing. Applicant can seek review of the decision on fees charged by the PIO by applying to the appropriate Appellate Authority; No fees from people living below the poverty line. Free of cost if the PIO fails to comply within the time limit as prescribed under the RTI Act. FEES AND CHARGES C o n t …

9. 30 days if application is filed with the PIO. 35 days in case it is filed with the Assistant PIO. 48 hours in case the matter to which the information pertains affects the life and liberty of an individual. Time limits to get the information

10. C ov e r a g e RTI Act came into effect on 12 th October 2005. Covers central, state and local governments and all bodies o w n e d , c o n t r o ll e d o r s ub s t a n ti a lly f i n a n ced b y t h e respective Governments; Section 2(h) Non-government organization substantially financed directly o r i n d i re c t ly by f u n d s p r o vi d e d by t h e a p p r o p ria t e government. Section 2 (e) Executive, judiciary and legislature Includes information relating to private body which can be accessed by under any other law for the time being in force. Section 2 (f)

11. EXEMPTIONS FROM DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION National security Contempt of court Parliamentary privilege Trade secrecy Fiduciary relationship Foreign government Safety of informer in law enforcement Investigation Cabinet papers Privacy (K) Copyright - disclosure which would involve an infringement of copyright subsisting in a person other than the State may be rejected. [Section 9]

12. I l l u s t r a t i o ns PERSONAL DETAILS, INCOME, PAN, SOURCES OF FUNDS, PARTNERSHIP DETAILS- Dhiraj Manilal Thakkar case decision dt.25.1.07 MARKS AWARDED BY INDIVIDUAL PANEL EXPERTS UNDER DIFFERENT PARAMETERS- Manish Dnyaneshwar Thool case decision dt.20.4.06 [The marks awarded by the panel experts to each candidate under different parameters are of confidential nature and this act has been carried out by them in fiduciary capacity, which is exempt u/ s 8(1)(e)]

13. I l l u s t r a t i o ns PROPERTY RETURN AND DETAILS OF PROPERTY ASSESSMENT REPORTS MEDICAL REPORT - Bhagwan Chand Saxena case decision dt. 3.4.06 [ As far as the medical reports concerned, they are purely personal to the individuals and furnishing of copies of the same would amount to invasion of privacy of the individuals and therefore need not be furnished]

14. I l l u s t r a t i o ns DETAILS OF THE BANK A CC O U NTS A.P Singh Vs Punjab National Bank, Zonal Office, Ludhiana [The appellant has not indicated any bonafide public interest in having access to the bank account of the company with which he as no association or business relationship]. ANSWER SHEETS- Treesa Irish case decision dt.6.2.06 [Providing information will not serve any public interest u/s 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act rather adversely affect the fairness and impartiality of selection process].

15. Illustrations Frivolous queries that are prefixed with wholly unsubstantiated adjective such as “fake”. Queries asking for an explanation from the Authority

16. A ppe a l First appeal with senior in the Department. Second appeal with Information Commission. Envisages an independent Information Commission at the central and state level to be an appellate authority and to oversee the functioning of the Act. Has various powers under the RTI Act.

17. P e n a lt i es The penalty levied under the RTI Act at the rate of Rs. 250/- a day, up to a maximum of Rs. 25,000/-, is recovered from the salary of officials.