Is RTI a constitutional right or a legal right?
RTI is a fundamental Right, which derives its practical applicability and further real time credibility through the RTI Act.Right to Information is a part of fundamental rights under Article 19(1) of the Constitution. Article 19 (1) says that every citizen has freedom of speech and expression.To read further about RTI and provisions involved which make the RTI work check this out.People cannot exercise their Right to Freedom of Speech And Expression- Until and unless THEY KNOWAs early as in 1976, the Supreme Court said in the case of Raj Narain vs State of UP, that people cannot speak or express themselves unless they know. Therefore, right to information is embedded in article 19.Why was RTI Act, 2005 enacted?Right to Information involved going against years of complacent and opaque state machinery. When you go against a giant you need to have more than just a mandate you need to have a proper machinery, process, plan and other aspects clear and in black and white.This need for a machinery or a process is addressed by RTI. It is through the detailed provisions of the RTI ACT, through which we can exercise this fundamental right.Right to Information Act 2005, which became effective on 13th October 2005, provides that machinery. Therefore, Right to Information Act does not give us any new right. It simply lays down the process on how to apply for information, where to apply, how much fees etc.
Should we give our personal details while filing an RTI?
No, not at all. RTI applicant is not required to give any personal details except address on which information would be supplied. Please see the Section 6(2) of RTI Act, 2005 as mentioned below:Section 6(2) An applicant making request for information shall not be required togive any reason for requesting the information or any other personal details except those that may be necessary for contacting him.But it is advisable to give your e mail address and mobile number if you don’t haveany problem in this. Sometimes this facilitates PIO to clear confusion or to get clarification from applicants regarding information sought. Please go ahead and file RTI and make the system more transparent and accountable.To organise FREE Workshop/ Seminar (Power Point Presentation) on RTI at your doorsteps in NCR-DELHI (Educational Institutions including schools; Offices, Housing Societies etc.) or for more information, please visit our website.Dr.Ravinder Kumar AgarwalRTI ActivistM.Sc., Ph.D.,LL.B., P.G. Diploma in Management,P.G. Diploma in Human Resource Management,Certificate Course in Freelance JournalismWebsite: http://rtialwayswithyou.com
What is the difference in "RTI request" and "RTI Appeal" in RTI act of India?
RTI request is made under Section 6(1). This Section is quite clear. Please read:Section 6(1) A person, who desires to obtain any information ….., shall make a request in writing or through electronic means in English or Hindi or in the official language of the area in which the application is being made, accompanying such fee as may be prescribed, to the PIO or the APIO ….. :Provided that where such request cannot be made in writing, the PIO shall render all reasonable assistance to the person making the request orally to reduce the same in writing.An appeal is filed before First Appellate Authority under Section 19(1):Section 19(1) Any person who, does not receive a decision within the time specified ….., or is aggrieved by a decision of the CPIO, may within thirty days from the expiry of such period or from the receipt of such a decision prefer an appeal to such officer who is senior in rank to the CPIO, in each public authority: …….To file an RTI application online please visit website “RTI Online :: Home” In Home page at the top in navigation bar we find “Submit Request” and “Submit First Appeal” links. Select “Submit Request”, then a form will come which has to be filled up and fee has to be paid online. After that select and click the “Submit” link. After submitting RTI, applicant will get auto generated Registration/ Request number which will be required in case a need to file first appeal arise.To organise FREE Workshop/ Seminar (Power Point Presentation) on RTI at your doorsteps in NCR-DELHI (Educational Institutions including schools; Offices, Housing Societies etc.) or for more information, please visit our website.Dr.Ravinder Kumar AgarwalRTI ActivistM.Sc., Ph.D.,LL.B., P.G. Diploma in Management,P.G. Diploma in Human Resource Management,Certificate Course in Freelance JournalismWebsite: RTIalwayswithyou
What is right to information?
Right to Information Act 2005 mandates timely response to citizen requests for government information.It is an initiative taken by Department of Personnel and Training, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions to provide a– RTI Portal Gateway to the citizens for quick search of information on the details of first Appellate Authorities, PIOs etc.Amongst others, besides access to RTI related information / disclosures published on the web by various Public Authorities under the government of India as well as the State Governments.Objective of the RTI : The basic objective of the Right to Information Act is to empower the citizens, promote transparency and accountability in the working of the Government, contain corruption, and make our democracy work for the people in real sense.It goes without saying that an informed citizen is better equipped to keep necessary vigil on the instruments of governance and make the government more accountable to the governed.The Act is a big step towards making the citizens informed about the activities of the Government.For further details visit official website,RTI : https://rti.gov.in/index.aspOther RTI Links and Websites,Union Government Alphabetical : https://rti.gov.in/rti/ministry1...All Ministries : https://rti.gov.in/rti/allminist...All Departments : https://rti.gov.in/rti/alldept.aspUnion Government Query : https://rti.gov.in/rti/pad.aspState Government Query : https://rti.gov.in/rti/states.asp
Why doesn’t the government formulate a law to make political funding public, transparent, and under RTI ambit?
That really require chest of 56″. Who has that?It is said that sunlight is the best disinfection. It is so since even the bacteria of corruption gets eleminated. Politicians, whatever they may preach, have insatiable desire to be in power. For this, in our Democracy,election is to be faught and it requires money. If they publicise source of their funding, can they face the people with serious faces, dripping with high ideals.Milton had said- “ Fame is the last infirmity of human mind.” For a Politician added to it is power, which follows money.
Is RTI really useful in India?
The basic object of the Right to Information Act is to empower the citizens, promote transparency and accountability in the working of the Government and make our democracy work for the people in real sense. It helps to make the government more accountable to the governed (citizens).It is indeed useful in a country like India where government officials do not/ slow to respond to queries. It is a common practice to send information seeker from table to table till he is able to reach the correct person at work. RTI makes it more easy and works within a specified time period to receive a written authentic reply to the requester.A citizen who desires to obtain any information under the Act, is required to make an application to the Public Information Officer of the concerned public authority in writing in English or Hindi or in the official language of the area in which the application is made. The application can be also made online at https://rtionline.gov.in/.The application needs to be precise and specific. He should make payment of application fee at the time of submitting the application as prescribed in the Fee Rules (Rs. 10/- for a non-BPL applicant as on Oct, 2016). The information seeker is not required to give reasons for seeking information.I have personally filed three RTI applications and each of them were satisfactorily replied to within the specified time limit. The replies were useful to me. Hence, I have reasons to believe that it works!