How to File RTI Application - Hemant Goswami

Hemant Goswami

What Role Does the State What Role Does the State What Role Does the State What Role Does the State have?have?have?have?

To ensure�that�everyone’s�rights�are�protected�and�

everyone�is�………………

2. Enjoyingitwithinreasonableparametersof‘Civility’ …………

i.e.……..Inaccordancewiththemutuallyagreedupon

safeguardsforuniformenjoymentofnaturalrights…

[ConstitutionandLaws]

State has no business to walk even a small step

further than this ….

In IndiaIn IndiaIn IndiaIn India

Chapter III of the Indian Constitution can said to be

India’s declaration of Human Rights

Despite�this,therehavebeennumerousdilutions….

We�havealsocarriedovertheburdenofourlegacyof

oppression…….Carrieditforwardfromtheunfairrulers

andoccupierswithlittleapplicationofmind.

Article 19(1)(a)Article 19(1)(a)Article 19(1)(a)Article 19(1)(a) can be said to be the First Right

Article 19(1)(a)Article 19(1)(a)Article 19(1)(a)Article 19(1)(a)

19.�Protection�of�certain�rights�regarding�freedom�of�speech,�etc.�- (1)

Allcitizensshallhavetheright- (a)Tofreedomofspeechand

expression;

There can be no freedom, if there is no “Freedom of Speech.” In all oppressions, freedom of expression is the first causality ….

In�INDIA�we�have�never�seen�true�‘Freedom�of�Speech�and�

Expression.’ Ifthisrightisnotensured(andsafeguarded)thenwe

areboundtolooseourfreedomanddemocracy

What is RIGHT TO INFORMATION (RTI)What is RIGHT TO INFORMATION (RTI)What is RIGHT TO INFORMATION (RTI)What is RIGHT TO INFORMATION (RTI)

� Alegislation(Act)passedbytheIndianParliamentin

2005

� Citizen’srighttoobtaininformationfromanypublic

authorityrelatingtoitsadministration,operationsor

decisions.

� Afundamentaldemocraticright.

� It is a human right to access information, to seek

receiveandimpartinformation

� Thefundamentalrighttofreedomofexpressionand

uponwhichallotherrightsdepend

RTI and 19(1)(a)RTI and 19(1)(a)RTI and 19(1)(a)RTI and 19(1)(a)

If free flow of information is missing, then how can

there be freedom of speech and expression?

� Openandfreedialogueis�possible�only�when�sufficient�

information�is�available forfurtherdeliberationsand

discussion

� Dialogue,discussionsandexpressionmust�be�free�from�

any�retaliation oroppressive/suppressiveaction

Right to InformationRight to InformationRight to InformationRight to Information

RTI is part of this basic Human Right …….. It’s the most basic of the rights

�Makesitmandatoryonthecustodian/trusteesforsafeguarding‘Civility’ toshareallinformation,inputsandoutputwhichwasprocessedduringthe‘ServicetothePublic/Humanity’

� Intentstoopenupdialoguefornecessarycorrectiveactionandensuredevelopmentintherightanddesireddirection

�Protectequaldistributionofgoodamongall………..Allotherrightsdependentonthisright

Use of RTI for corrective Use of RTI for corrective Use of RTI for corrective Use of RTI for corrective actionactionactionaction

What RTI is being used for since 2005

• Exposingwrongsdonetooneself

• Publicresources

• Exposingpubliccorruption

• Speedinguptheprocesswithoutthe

SPEED…money

• Correctivepolicyinterventionbycitizengroups

What RTI has actually doneWhat RTI has actually doneWhat RTI has actually doneWhat RTI has actually done

Brought greater

degree of ‘freedom of

speech and

expression’…….. paved way for comprehensive human rights

This single act has helped human rights more than anything else

Provisions under the RTI ActProvisions under the RTI ActProvisions under the RTI ActProvisions under the RTI Act

PROCESSOFFILINGANRTIAPPLICATION

� InformationcanbesoughtunderSection4/6

� ApplicationfiledunderSection6

� Canseekinformationbutnotaskquestions/opinions

� Informationhastobeprovidedwithin30days

� Ifnoinformationisprovided,firstappeal(Undersection19)withinthepublicauthority(usuallyaseniorofficer)ismadeafter30days

� Ifyouarestillnotsatisfied,fileasecondappeal(Undersection19)withInformationCommissionwithin90days

� Ifnoreplyisreceived,fileacomplaint(undersection18)directlywiththeInformationCommissioner

Section 2Section 2Section 2Section 2Section2(f) – Information‘meansanymaterialinanyform,including

records,documents,memos,e-mails,opinions,advices,pressreleases,

circulars,orders,logbooks,contracts,reports,papers,samples,models,

datamaterialheldinanyelectronicformandinformationrelatingto

anyprivatebodywhichcanbeaccessedbyapublicauthorityunder

anyotherlawforthetimebeinginforce’

Section2(i) – recordincludes

(a)anydocument,manuscript&file;

(b)anymicrofilm,microficheandfacsimilecopyofadocument;

(c)anyreproductionofimageorimagesembodiedinsuchmicrofilm

(whetherenlargedornot);and

(d)anyothermaterialproducedbyacomputeroranyotherdevice

What is RTI?What is RTI?What is RTI?What is RTI?

Section2(j) – righttoinformationmeans‘therighttoinformation

accessibleunderthisActwhichisheldbyorunderthecontrolofany

publicauthorityandincludestherightto-

(i)inspectionofwork,documents,records;

(ii)takingnotes,extractsorcertifiedcopiesofdocumentsorrecords;

(iii)takingcertifiedsamplesofmaterial;

(iv)obtaininginformationintheformofdiskettes,floppies,tapes,

videocassettesorinanyotherelectronicmodeorthroughprintouts

wheresuchinformationisstoredinacomputerorinanyother

device

Who is a Public AuthorityWho is a Public AuthorityWho is a Public AuthorityWho is a Public Authority

Section�2�(h) – Publicauthoritymeans‘anyauthorityorbodyorinstitutionofself-governmentestablishedorconstituted

(a)byorundertheConstitution;

(b)byanyotherlawmadebyParliament;

(c)byanyotherlawmadebystatelegislature;

(d)bynotificationissuedormadebytheappropriategovernment,andincludesany

• (i)bodyowned,controlledorsubstantiallyfinanced;

• (ii)non-governmentorganizationsubstantiallyfinanced,directlyorindirectlybyfundsprovidedbytheappropriategovernment’

ProProProPro----Active DisclosureActive DisclosureActive DisclosureActive Disclosure

Section�4 – EveryPublicAuthorityshallmaintainallitsrecordsdulycataloguedandindexedinamannerandtheformwhichfacilitatestherighttoinformationandensurethatallrecordsthatareappropriatetobecomputerizedare,withinareasonabletimeandsubjecttoavailabilityofresources,computerizedandconnectedthroughanetworkalloverthecountryondifferentsystemssothataccesstosuchrecordsfacilitated– alsotoprovidetheinformationsuo motu tothepublicatregularintervalsthroughvariousmeansofcommunications,includinginternet–dissemination,keepinginmindthecosteffectiveness,locallanguage.

How to File a RTI Application?How to File a RTI Application?How to File a RTI Application?How to File a RTI Application?

Section�6�– File�an�RTI�Application�Under�Section�6

Section�6.�(1) Aperson,whodesirestoobtainanyinformationunderthisAct,shallmakearequestinwritingorthroughelectronicmeansinEnglishorHindiorintheofficiallanguageoftheareainwhichtheapplication�is�being�made,�accompanying�such�fee asmaybeprescribed,to—

(a)theCentralPublicInformationOfficer(CPIO) orStatePublicInformationOfficer(SPIO), asthecasemaybe,oftheconcernedpublicauthority;

(b)theCentralAssistantPublicInformationOfficerorStateAssistantPublicInformationOfficer,asthecasemaybe,specifyingtheparticularsoftheinformationsoughtbyhimorher:

Providedthatwheresuchrequestcannotbemadeinwriting,theCentralPublicInformationOfficerorStatePublicInformationOfficer,asthecasemaybe,shall�render�all�reasonable�assistance tothepersonmakingtherequestorallytoreducethesameinwriting.

How to Draft?How to Draft?How to Draft?How to Draft?

� Nospecificformatisrequired

�AddresstoPIOfollowedbyaddressofthedepartment

� Applicationshouldcontain;

�Name

�Address

�KindofInformation(TohelpthePIO)

�Durationforwhichinformationrequired(TohelpthePIO)

�ExactInformation,asrequired;preferablyparagraphwise

�Inspectionclause,ifyoualsowishtoinspectthefile

�Detailsofthefeedeposited(CanbedepositedbyPO,DD,Cash,etc)

How to Draft?How to Draft?How to Draft?How to Draft?

Somepracticalguidelines:-

� Bebrieftotheextentpossible

� Don’taskquestions/opinionwhichdonotexistonfiles

� Canaskquestionsandseekanswersofallsuchsubjectswhichexistonanydocument,filenoting

� Beclearandtothepoint

� Coverallpossibilitiestoavoidpossibleevasiontoanswer;andbeasspecificaspossible

� Alwaysrequestforinspectionofdocumentsinadditiontoinformationrequest

LetLetLetLet’’’’s draft a RTI requests draft a RTI requests draft a RTI requests draft a RTI request

APPLICATION�UNDER�THE�“RIGHT�TO�INFORMATION�ACT” INFORMATION�REQUIRED�UNDER�SECTION�4(1)(c)/(d)�AND�6

Date : July23,2009

Reference�No : BBS/2009/PMO/236

PIO�FROM�WHOM�INFORMATION�IS�REQUIRED:

CentralPublicInformationOfficer,

MinistryofHealthandFamilyWelfare

Nirman Bhawan,Maulana AzadRd.

NewDelhi- 110001

NAME�OF�THE�APPLICANT:�

HemantGoswami

ADDRESS:��

HemantGoswami,TobaccoFreeIndiaCoalitionC/oBurningBrainSociety,#3,GlassOffice,BusinessArcade,HotelShivalikview,Sector17-E,Chandigarh160017

Telephone: +91-172-5165555

E-Mail: [email protected]


TohelpthePIO:

SUBJECT�MATTER�OF�INFORMATION�REQUIRED:�

InformationpertainstotheuseandprovisionsofCigaretteandOtherTobaccoProductsActandRules.Specificinformationw.r.t.implementationofprovisionsrelatedto“Pictorialwarnings” ontobaccoproductsissought.MinutesofthemeetingofGoM ontheissueisalsorequested.

DURATION�FOR�WHICH�INFORMATION�IS�REQUIRED:

Informationisrequiredforthelastthreeyearsorasspecificallymentionedinthisapplication.InformationbeprovidedtillthedateofprovidingcompletereplyunderthisRTIApplicationand/ortillthedateoffinaldisposalofthisRTIapplication.


DESCRIPTION�OF�INFORMATION�REQUIRED:�

1) Providecertifiedcopiesofalllettersandcommunication(Whetherelectronicorotherwise)written/sent/receivedand/orcarriedoutbytheofficeoftheMinistryofHealthandFamilyWelfarebetweenJanuary1,2005todate,withanyotherministryand/orauthorityofGovernmentofIndiaoranyStateGovernmentw.r.t theissueofPictorialWarningontobaccoproducts.

2) Providecertifiedcopiesofallnotifications,orders,instructionsandcommunicationbytheMinistryofHealthandFamilyWelfareontheissuerelatedto“Picturewarning” ontobaccoproducts.

3) Providecertifiedcopiesofminutesofallsuchmeetings(SinceJanuary1,2005tothedateofsupplyofinformation)inwhichtheissueof“graphicwarnings” or“pictorialwarnings” oranyotherkindofwarningsontobaccoproductshasbeendiscussed.

4) Providecertifiedcopiesofminutesofallmeetings(SinceJanuary1,2005tothedateofsupplyofinformation)bythe“GroupofMinisters” inwhichtheissueof“graphicwarnings” or“pictorialwarnings” oranyotherkindofwarningsontobaccoproductshasbeendiscussed.

5) Providecertifiedcopiesofminutesofallmeetingsand/orinteractions(SinceJanuary1,2005tothedateofsupplyofinformation)withanyotherMinistryofGovernmentofIndiainwhichtheissueof“graphicwarnings” or“pictorialwarnings” oranyotherkindofwarningsontobaccoproductshasbeendiscussed.

6) Providecertifiedcopiesofallcommunicationreceivedfromanypoliticalleader,partyand/orfunctionaryinwhichtheissueof“graphicwarnings” or“pictorialwarnings” oranyotherkindofwarningsontobaccoproductshasbeenraised.

7) Etc……………..


INSPECTION�CLAUSE:

AfterthesupplyoftheinformationfromPara1to15,theundersignedwould,athisdiscretion,also

liketoinspectalltherecords(bothelectronicandpaperrecords),documents/letters,communication,notes,books,ledgers,accountbooks,etc.andthefileswhicharereliedbyyourdepartmentand/oronthebasisofwhichtheinformationtotheabove-mentionedrequestissupplied/tobeprovided.Kindlyprovidetheworkinghoursofyourofficeandthename,contactdetailsandexactlocationoftherecordofficer/otherofficialsinwhosecustodythesaidrecordsareavailableandcanbeinspected.

a. Theundersignedrequestsyoutoprovideextracts,copiesofdocumentsandvouchers,certifiedcopies,electronicdocuments,e-mailsandrelevantportion/notingofanyandallthedocumentsrequiredbytheapplicantaftertheinspectionbytheapplicant(and/orhisrepresentative)orotherwise.Duringtheinspection,theapplicantmaybeallowedtotakenotesfromthedocumentsandseekcopiesofalloranyofthedocumentsavailableinpaperorelectronicformat.

b. Providetheuniquefile-numbers/record-numberofallthefiles(asassignedtothem)onthebasisofwhichtheabovementionedinformationrecord/information(assoughtinthisapplication)isbeing/tobe


OTHER�DETAILS

Theinformationmayalsobee-mailedatthee-mailaddresshemant@rightto.info.�

Incaseanyspecificinformationheadrequirepaymentofanyfurtherfee;therest

oftheinformationmaynotbewithheldandbeprovidedimmediately.Thecomplete

informationasrequestedalongwiththeintimationabouttheworkinghoursduring

whichtheundersignedcanmakeinspectionmustbeintimatedthroughe-mail

immediately.

• Thedetailsoffeedepositedisasunder;

• AsumofRs.10/- isdepositedvideIPONo.XXXXXdatedxx/yy/zzzz

drawnon‘AccountOfficer/PIO,NameoftheDepartment’

If improper information is If improper information is If improper information is If improper information is receivedreceivedreceivedreceived

FileFirstAppealUnderSection19:[Simpleoneparagraphappeal]

Addressto:FirstAppellateAuthority,NameoftheDepartmentSubject:FirstAppealUnderRTIAct

Anappealisherebymadetoyoutorequestyourgoodselfthatalltheinformation

asrequestedthroughmyRTIapplications,bearingreferencenumberanddateasmentionedabove,beprovidedimmediately.Theinformation,asprovidedisdeficientonthefollowinggrounds;

• 1.XXXXXXXXXXX

• 2.YYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

Sd/-

If no information is still If no information is still If no information is still If no information is still receivedreceivedreceivedreceived

If�not�satisfied�even�after�first�appeal;

� FileSecondappealtoInformationCommission

Check– www.cic.gov.in

� AttachyourRTIApplication(Selfattested)

� ProofofPayments

� Anyreplyyouhavereceived(Selfattested)

� Indexthedocuments;makeproperitemizedcomplaint,sticktotheinformation

soughtandthatwhichhasnotbeenprovided.

� Ifnoinformationisreceived,fileadirectcomplaintunderSection18

totheInformationCommission.Noneedtofilethefirstappealin

suchcases.

What you can do?What you can do?What you can do?What you can do?

Can you take complete responsibility of 50 yards radius around you?

My Philosophy of Citizens’ Action

Thank YouThank YouThank YouThank You

Questions

&

Comments

Hemant Goswami

Education

How to File RTI Application - Hemant Goswami