RTI FILING PROCEDURE WITH CONDITIONS & RELEVANT INFORMATION

Basic of RTI has already been discussed in 'RTI Act at a glance' and 'Basic Information of RTI'. Now it is important to discuss the RTI filing procedure by following rules and regulations. In this topic, RTI filing procedure, Relevant information like RTI filing charge, Required documents, Time period for filing, In which cases we can file RTI, and why online RTI filing is more advantageous for today's generation are discussed.

PROCEDURE

Citizens of India may file RTI in two types of procedures of filing RTI. Those are - online & offline processes. To file RTI, applicants should identify public authority/departments of government for offline RTI filing. The applicant can file an RTI every day or twice a day or as frequently as he wants, but the monthly application is better than the regular application to get a response faster. So, the simple discussion about the RTI filing procedure is given below -

ONLINE PROCESS

The online process of filing RTI is very easy, simple and a smart procedure and we can send our queries easily and quickly to the officers. In our busy lifestyle, we always want to save time, and generally, we face official and social problems. So, we want to solve our problems smartly. To solve any problem our first step is obtaining proper information and RTI filing is the best way to get information. In the online RTI filing procedure, an applicant should -

Contact a legal expert to get suggestions about the application format and required documents in vital cases.
Fill-up the form with proper information by opening the Govt. website to file an RTI.
The legal expert can call him for the details.
The RTI draft will be sent to the applicant’s mail id so that the applicant can approve or edit.
Then the RTI draft will be sent to the concerned officer after getting approval.
The applicant will get the tracking id so that he can track his RTI application.

OFFLINE PROCESS

We can also file the RTI in the offline process but in the offline RTI filing procedure, we must be ensured about the right department where we want to file RTI or about the department relates to the subject of the problem otherwise the application is canceled. It is suggested that the applicant mentions the queries, in brief, to get an adequate response, and can use pointwise format with short sentences and a maximum of 5 queries in an application should be applied.

WHY CAN WE FILE RTI IN ONLINE

As our country digitally progresses we can easily file RTI through the online RTI filing procedure, and there is a low chance of sending files in the wrong department. Now it is easy to find out the right department as well as the right public authority and also easy to file RTI. In the online process of filing RTI, we should visit the RTI portal. It takes a short time to file an RTI application. The applicant can track the status of the application and can collect the name and address of the designated officer from the RTI online portal. In the offline RTI filing procedure, we can face the problem of collecting the name of the designated officer from the signature of the officer.

CONTENTS AND FORMAT OF THE APPLICATION

The format of the application even in the online RTI filing system must be short-sized, and pointwise and a maximum of 5 information can be asked.
Any personal details or reasons for requesting the information can not be required in the application.
The applicant should not be asked to give any justification for seeking information.

CONDITIONS

Primarily an applicant should file an RTI to PIO to maintain the process of filing RTI but if no response or unsatisfied response or incorrect response has been provided by the PIO within the given time limits then he /she can file RTI to the appellate authority or the chief information commissioner. The applicant can involve a third party but in some cases, the third party cannot be allowed.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

To file an RTI, documents related to the subject are required as a pdf form. Documents depend upon the subject and it is notified to the specific contents about RTI.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO FILE RTI TO THE FAA

If one wants to apply RTI to the appellate authority after getting a rejection from PIO some documents will be required. The documents are -

Self-attested photocopy of RTI application

Self-attested copy of PIO’s reply (if any)

Any other documents supporting the ground and pleading in appeal

(Self-attested means at the bottom of photocopy write attested and put full signature below it)

IN WHICH CASES WE CAN FILE RTI

The importance of this content 'process of filing RTI Act' is to get any information /suggestion about:-

official problems.
the education system
society-related problems
the public authority
any information of any institution controlled or owned by the government
the verification of the result of board exams and competitive exams
property matter
any tax-related problems

CHARGE

RTI filing charge is the most important part of the RTI filing procedure because without filing the charge the application will not be sent to the officer. The list of the charge is given below:-

The court fees to apply RTI is Rs.10/- but for the BPL category, there is no court fee. The applicant can pay the fees by a postal order /demand draft /banker's cheque along with the application.
The charge for the information provided in A4 or A3 paper is Rs.2/- per photocopy.
The charge inspection of records is Rs.5/- for every 15 minutes.
The charge for information provided on the diskette or floppy is Rs.50/-.

TIME LIMIT TO GET PROPER INFORMATION

The result is the important thing after any work. So, in this case, we also wait to get information, and for this reason, the time limit for getting information is a relevant part of the process of filing RTI.

Through APIO Applicant will get the required information within 35 days of the receipt of the application.
Through PIO Applicant will get the required information within 30 days of the receipt of the application.
Through the Third-party applicant will get the required information within 40 days of the receipt of the application.
If the required information is the applicant’s life related then he /she will get the information within 48 hours of the receipt of the application.
If information relates to allegations of violation of human rights the required information will be provided within 45 days of the receipt of the application.

After all, RTI filing is a process through which anyone can solve his/ her problems by getting information. It is the main step of the implementation of RTI. To get more knowledge about RTI read the other topics of RTI and to be more experienced implement the process of filing RTI, as we face various problems which will be solved by filing RTI.

To get more information about RTI, click the links given below:

RTI ACT AT A GLANCE

BASIC INFORMATION OF THE RTI ACT

ROLES OF DESIGNATED OFFICERS

USE AND MISUSE OF THE RTI ACT

SOME CASES RELATES TO EXEMPTION OF RTI ACT, 2005

CONTROVERSIAL FACTS UNDER THE RTI ACT, 2005

RTI FILING IN EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES & COMPETITIVE EXAMINATIONS

FILING RTI IN CASE OF PROPERTY MATTER

RTI IN PROVIDENT FUND AND ESIC CASES

PENALTIES OF DESIGNATED OFFICERS UNDER RTI