RTI Mudule Session

3 Day Session on Right to Information

Right to information Act, 2005 came into force on June 21, 2005. This Act gives a democratic right to all Indians to retrieve the information from government/public offices as a citizen of India.

Ashutosh and Tippanna facilitated the RTI session for three days. During the first-day session I learned very good information that had not heard before. I learned about different definitions of the Act, information and records. The definition of records includes advices, opinions, memos, circulars, documents, micro-films, etc. A Section of the Act called [4 (1) (a) and (b)] of RTI Act 2005 is very important. This section covers all information about a particular department under ‘Suo-Motu’. I learned how to write an application under section [4(1)(b)]. We can get the information from the constitution state legislature and government bodies and government aided bodies and the organization that is funded by the government. Suo-motu is a publication published by each government offices every year about the organization, and it covers 17 points. If a citizen is applying for Suo-motu  all concerned departments are governed to give all the information covering 17 points under section [4 (1) (b)].There is no charge for this information. Meaning one can take this information free of cost. Also departments are required to maintain all information and records every year.

On the afternoon of the first day I went to Karnataka Water Board to file an RTI application under section [4(1) (b)] of Suo-Motu. I was with my co-fellow Laxmish. He filed an RTI there. In this department the related officer received the application easily.

By the second day I knew about section [6 (1) (b) ] of RTI Act, 2005 and the application format to file an RTI application. According to this act anyone can access the particular information about any issue from government/semi-government department. To get this information we must write an application in our own words specifying the exact point we need. There is no certain format for writing the application. While submitting the application form we should attach Rs 10/- postel order or demand draft in the favour of the related department. There is a provision to get the information within 30 days after filing the application. But in the case that the requested information is related to other departments, five more days can be added to the 30 day limit. If any officer does not accept the application or is not ready to give the information, the applicant can ask for the reason in written form from the officer.

If information is not given within the fixed period one can apply to a higher authority, state information commission or central information commission. The commission should reply within 90 days from the original application date.

After noon I went to the Women and Child Welfare Department to file an RTI application under section 6 (1) (b) for taking the information about the implementation status of Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 of Dharwad District. In this department after some query I filed the application successfully. 

The third day was a recap session of the previous two days. It was very nice to recall all the lessons I learned. Then I learned about section 7 (1) of the Act that is very important to take the information within 48 hours in case of life and death matters. Meaning if somebody’s life can be safe from the related information so that information can be taken from the related department within 48 hours under section 7 (1).

Section 8: Refusal of an Application. The government department can refuse an application for particular reasons: information related to defense ministry, communal harmony related information that can be cause of riots, individual’s life sentence, etc.

Section 18(1): Complaints. All kind of complaints can be done under this section of RTI Act, 2005.

I also learned powers of SIC and CIC. In the afternoon all fellows went to different communities of Hubli city to conduct awareness programmes for RTI Act, 2005.