DOPT AR 0607 English Print.pmd - Jeywin

MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS
CHAPTER - 12
THE RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT, 2005
12.1 Right to Information is implicitly guaranteed by the Constitution. Nevertheless,
recognizing a need for setting out a practical regime for securing information by
citizens from the public authorities and to promote transparency and accountability
in the working of all public authorities, the Right to Information Act was enacted in
2005. The law is comprehensive and covers disclosure of information on almost
all matters of governance. It is applicable to the government at all levels- union,
state and local and also to the bodies owned, controlled or substantially financed
directly or indirectly by the government. It covers all legislative bodies, the judiciary,
the executive and all Constitutional bodies.
12.2 The Act applies a two pronged strategy for dissemination of information. It casts an
obligation on public authorities for suo moto disclosure/publication of large amount
of information. It also requires the public authorities to supply information called for
by any citizen and to permit him to inspect the documents and collect samples of
various works. The procedure for seeking information is very simple. A person
seeking information has to make a request to the concerned Public Information
Officer indicating the information is to be had and the address at which the
information is required. The request may be sent either by post or submitted in
person. It can be made in Hindi or English or in the official language of the area and
can also be sent through email.
12.3 The Act creates an elaborate machinery to ensure supply of information which
consists of Public Information Officers, Assistant Public Information Officers,
independent Central Information Commission and State Information Commissions,
etc.
12.4 The Act requires supply of information on a time bound basis. A Public Information
Officer is required to send information called for at the specified address within 30
days. In case of information concerning the life or liberty of a person, the information
is provided within forty eight hours. If the information is not provided within the
prescribed period, the Act has a provision for imposition of stringent penalty on the
Public Information Officer. The Public Information Officer may have to pay a penalty
of Rs.250 per day of delay subject to a maximum penalty of Rs. 25,000/-.
102