Right to Information Act, 2005 - GovtVacancy.Net

Right to Information Act, 2005

In order to bring transparency to administrative and administrative work, the Government of India passed the Right to Information Act in June 2005. This is an important effort in the direction of ensuring public participation in the democratic process.

 

The right to Information has been given the status of a fundamental right under Article 19(1) of the Constitution. Under Section 19(1), every citizen has been given freedom of speech and expression and he also has the right to know how the government works, what is its role,  what are its functions, etc. Every citizen pays tax. Therefore, he has every right to know how the amount given by him as tax is being utilized.

 

The Right to Information Act empowers every citizen to ask questions to the government  and may include comments, summaries, or examination of certified copies of documents or records or
certified samples of material.

 

RTI Act is applicable all over India. It includes all the bodies covered by the notification of the Government and also includes such NGOs,  which are owned, controlled, or partially funded by the Government.

 

Information – Information under the Right to Information means such material,  including records, documents, memoranda, e-mails, opinions, advice, press releases, circulars, orders, logbooks, contracts, and reports held in any electronic form.  Include papers, samples, models, and data-related materials. It also includes information relating to a private body to which a public authority may have access under law.

 

Right: The following rights are included under the right to information-

 

* Inspection of documents and records.

* Taking certified copies of documents or records.

* Taking certified samples of material.

* Print out in the form of the floppy disk, tape, video cassette, or in any other electronic mode.

 

Under the Right to Information Act, the following information has been exempted from disclosure-

 

* Information the disclosure of which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security, strategic, scientific, or economic interests of the State, relations with foreign countries or encourage an offense.

* Information the disclosure of which would amount to contempt of court.

* Information the disclosure of which may lead to a breach of privilege of Parliament or the Legislature of a State.

* Disclosure of information that includes commercial confidence, trade secrets, or intellectual property may harm the competitive position of a third party.

* Information received in confidence from a foreign government.

* Information the disclosure of which would endanger the life or physical safety of any person.

* Information the disclosure of which would impede the investigation or the process of arrest or prosecution of offenders.

* Cabinet papers containing the records of the deliberations of the secretaries and other officers of the Council of Ministers.

* In addition, personal information, the disclosure of which is not related to any public activity or interest.

 

Request for Obtaining Information- 

All citizens will have the right to information under the Right to Information Act.

A person can make a request for information by the following means-

   In writing or through the electronic device in English or Hindi or in the official language of the region in which the application is made: Along with such fee as may be prescribed by the Central or State Public Information Officer.

 

Disposal of Request-

 

In any case, the acknowledgment of the information shall be made available within thirty days of the payment of a fee. Provided that where the information sought relates to the life or liberty of any person, it shall be provided within forty-eight hours of the receipt of the request. No fee will be charged for below poverty line persons. Where any public authority fails to comply with the time limit, the information shall be provided without charge to the person making the request for information.

 

Objectives of RTI Act-

 

* Bringing transparency and increasing accountability in the activities of the public authority:

* Ensuring public access to information available under the control or control of public authorities  ;

* Establish a practical method for citizens' right to information;

* Constitution of a Central Information Commission and State Information Commission; And

* To provide for matters relating to or connected with them.

 

Format: Three-tier

* Central or State Information Commission.

*First Appellate Authority.

* Public Information Officer.

Thank You