In this article, I am going to write about how you can file RTI(online and offline), and what things to keep in mind while filing RTI.
Every citizen of the country has a right to know what the government is doing in its name and to know about the performance of the government by getting information on each and each decision being taken by the government. The Right to Information (RTI) is that the right to secure access to information held by the govt and therefore the corresponding duty upon a public body to form information available. RTI today is universally acknowledged as a fundamental right, effectively contributing to the promotion of transparency, accountability and public participation in governance.
Points to file a robust RTI
- Keep it simple
Try to keep the application simple. The simple the application is, the sooner you will get the response. It should be basic and the things asked should be to the point. Avoid depicting the whole scenario, just the things you want information for.
- Keep it short
The application should not be lengthy and ambiguous.
- Divide and rule
If RTI is lengthy or if the information you are seeking is about different things. Try to divide the RTI and file multiple RTIs.
- Don’t be over-ambitious
Try to be concise with the information you are asking if you want it to be disposed of soon.
Steps to file RTI(offline)
- Ascertain the Department\ministry you want the information for. After that find the Public Information Officer of that department.
- Prepare the RTI on a clean sheet of paper or forms or formats if such forms are available in that particular sheet. You need to mention that you have filed it under the Right to Information Act,2005.
- You can write it in any language. Clearly mention the details of ‘to’ and ‘from’.
- Add your basic communication details like email Id, phone number, address, etc.
- Proper addresses should be mentioned. Fill in the correct details of the Public Information Officer(PIO) of the concerned department. If somehow, you have processed the application in the wrong department, then it is the duty of the PIO of that department to forward it to the correct department.
- Proper framing. Write the draft first and make 1 to 2 alterations, to make it simple and relevant. And read it twice-thrice or if it is possible make it read by your advocate friend.
- The fee is to be paid, which is Rs. 10. It can be Indian postal order or Court fees stamp or Demand draft(in some states).
- Mention your personal information i.e, your proper address, phone number, email Id, etc.
- Deliver your RTI. After drafting, deliver it through speed post or you can go personally in that department and hand it over to the PIO. Keep in mind to have a photocopy of it and if you hand it over personally then get the stamp of receipt to approve on which date u have filed it. If you have speed post it, then keep the receipt to track on which date the officer has received it, and from that day period of 30 days starts.
- Response of RTI. Within 30 days, you will get the response of RTI by letter or speed post. The most response is in hardcopy.
Process to file RTI(online)
You can file the RTI (Online) in 7 easy steps:
- Go to the website https://rtionline.gov.in/ and sign up here. For signing up, you have to mention your name, add password, email Id, gender, address, Pincode, educational status, phone number, etc.
- After submitting, you will get a verification link on your email Id, then your log in Id will be created.
- Then you need to sign in on the website and click on Submit request.
- There will appear some Guidelines for users of the RTI portal, after reading it carefully, click on ‘I have read and understand the above guidelines, and submit it.
- You need it carefully pay attention in which department you want to file the RTI, add some basic details about that department, as it will be asked on the website.
- After submitting it, you will get the option of payment, you can pay it simply and submit the application.
- And the status will be shown on your home screen, whether the application is registered, disposed of or pending.
- If you are not satisfied with the disposal of your RTI or you don’t get any response even after 30 days, then you can file the First appeal on https://rtionline.gov.in/
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