RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT AT A GLANCE

To file RTI or to know about citizens' rights in our democratic society, it is important to know about the Right to Information Act, 2005. Here we discuss how the Right to Information Act has come, the benefits of this act, the history of this act, the purpose of this act, etc. This information is helpful to know about this act and how much easier to solve any problem by filing an RTI. Let's see at a glance at the Right to Information Act.

IMPORTANCE OF THE BLOG ON RTI ACT, 2005

Before the enactment of the Right to Information Act, many types of problems arose and people ran here and there to get the solution or correct information but almost all the time they became disappointed, and they gave up. For this, the government enacted the Right to Information Act but there was also a problem to file RTI in finding the proper department of public authority. So a digital implementation of the Right to Information Act has come now to avoid those problems which appeared before the digital progression. So, it is important to know about gross and updated information on the RTI Act.

WHAT IS RTI ACT?

Right to Information Act is a fundamental act under part III, Article 19 (1) of the constitution. Right to Information Act is an improvement of the ‘Freedom of Information’ act of 2002. The Right to Information Act was enacted to make more effective the fundamental right ‘Freedom of speech and expression’ of the Indian constitution. It is also said that Article 19 is the backbone of part III of the constitution.

FACTS OF RTI

The right to Information Act is our fundamental right. Aruna Roy, who fought for the poor and marginalized and organized many campaigns for them, is the mastermind behind this act. The President passed the Right to Information Act on 15 June 2005 and became active on 12 October 2005. It is our constitutional right and also a legal right. This act empowers citizens to seek any information about Government work. In the whole of India, the Right to Information Act applies except for Jammu and Kashmir. It is important to know how the Right to Information Act was passed, the process of enactment of the RTI Act is-

In Lok sabha 11 May 2005
In Rajya sabha 12 May 2005
President assent 15 June 2005
Becomes effective in India 12 October 2005

HOW TO HELP RTI FOR YOU

The Right to Information act provides information securely under the control of public authorities which promotes accountability and transparency. Citizens of India may apply RTI to the Public Information Officer (PIO) if the request is rejected. The applicant may apply RTI to Appellate Authority, after that if any problem occurs, he should go to the State Information Commission (SIC) /Central Information Commission (CIC).
After the application, the applicant should wait to get a response within 30 days. If the applicant sends the application to the wrong department, the application will be transferred to the right department within 5 days.
The court fees to file RTI is Rs.10/- but for the BPL category, there is no court fee.
Officers are responsible to give a response in time if they cannot take their liability penalties can be imposed. An applicant should file an RTI to the Public Information Officer by the applicant. Then PIO completes their responsibilities with the Appellate Authority and sends it to the State Information Commission or the Central Information Commission.

PURPOSE OF RTI ACT

RTI Act is a constitutional act that stands for the Right to Information Act. From the name of this act, it is understandable that the Right to Information Act is a right. The right is to seek information through records on the government and its work. Sometimes people can seek information related to the private sector but the government must control the sector through any law or act of the Indian constitution. So, that law or act becomes the weapon to file RTI to seek information on private sectors. As the Right to Information Act is an act, we should follow some rules and regulations.

BENEFITS OF RTI APPLICATION

Right to Information Act is an empowerment of the common people.

It promotes transparency, accountability, and openness in government affairs.

It reduces inappropriate special education referrals and placement.

It improves the accuracy of data and deduction calculation.

It stops corruption in government work.

ABBREVIATION OF SOME TERMS

RTI- Right to Information

PIO- Public Information Officer

CPIO- Central Public Information Officer

SPIO- State Public Information Officer

APIO- Assistant Public Information Officer

CAPIO- Central Assistant Public Information Officer

SAPIO- State Assistant Public Information Officer

AA- Appellate Authorities

FAA- First Appellate Authority

IC- Information Commissioner

CIC- Central Information Commission /Chief Information Commissioner

SIC- State Information Commission

CCIC- Central Chief Information Commission

SCIC- State Chief Information Commissioner

LENSTAX CORNER

I think that is enough information to understand the basics of the RTI Act 2005 but when you feel confused, you can contact the Lenstax expert team and visit our website regularly to know more updated information about recent changes in laws and policies in India.

To get more information about RTI, click these links -

PROCESS OF FILING RTI ACT

BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT RTI ACT

ROLES OF DESIGNATED OFFICERS

USE AND MISUSE OF THE RTI ACT

SOME CASES RELATES TO EXEMPTION OF RTI ACT

CONTROVERSIAL FACTS UNDER THE RTI ACT

RTI FILING IN EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES AND COMPETITIVE EXAMINATIONS

RTI FILING IN CASE OF PROPERTY MATTER

RTI IN PROVIDENT FUND AND ESIC CASES

PENALTIES OF DESIGNATED OFFICERS UNDER RTI