rti act2005

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Right to Information Act 2005

Agartala, Tripura8 September 2005

Makarand Bakore

Research Associate

Centre for Civil Society

New Delhi

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Introduction Purpose

Transparency and accountability

Applies to the whole of India exceptJ&K

Official Secrets Act, 1923 [S.22]

Enacted on 15 June 2005. Will comeinto force in toto on 12 October 2005

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Definition of Information [S.2(f)]

"information" means any material in any

form, including

- Records

- Documents

- Press Releases

- Circulars

- Log Books

- Papers

- Memos

- Opinions

- Advices

- Orders

- Contracts

- Samples- Models

- Emails

- Data in

electronicform

- inforelated to

any private

body

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Definition of Record [S. 2(i)]

"record" includes

a) any document, manuscript and file

b) any microfilm, microfiche and facsimilecopy of a document

c) any reproduction of image or imagesembodied in such microfilm (whether

enlarged or not)d) any other material produced by a computer

or any other device

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Definition of Right [S. 2(j)]

"right to information" includes the right to

i. inspection of work, documents, records

ii. taking notes, extracts or certified copiesof documents or records

iii. certified samples of material

iv. diskettes, floppies, tapes, video cassettes

or in any other electronic mode or throughprintouts where such information is storedin a computer or in any other device

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Obligations of Public Authorities[S.4]

1. Catalogue, index and computerise

records [S. 4(1)]

2. Publish within 120 days (Oct 12)

Particulars of organisation, powers and

functions of officers and employees,

rules regulations, instructions, manuals

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Obligations of Pu

blic Authorities

Categories of documents

Budget

Subsidy programs

Designate State Public Information Officers

Constant endeavour to provide informationsuo moto

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Appointment of Officers [S. 5(2)]

State Public Information Officers

State Assistant Public Information

Officer

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Obtaining Information1. Receive request

2. Payment of fee

3. SPIO solicit assistance

4. Provide information

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Third Party Information Other public authority [S. 6(3)]

Any other entity owned, controlled, or

substantially financed by government[S. 11(1)]

Any other private entity with its

permission

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Exemptions [S. 8]

a) affects the sovereignty and integrity of

India

b) forbidden by any court of law or tribunal

c) breach of privilege of Parliament or the

State Legislature

d) information related to agencies mentionedin the Second Schedule of the Act

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Exemptionsc) Commercial confidence, trade secrets or

intellectual property

d) Information from a foreign governmente) Cabinet papers including records of

deliberations of the Council of Ministers,Secretaries or prosecution of offenders

f) Information which relates to personalmatters, the disclosure of which has nobearing on any public activity or interest

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Partial Information [S. 10]Partial information shall be given alongwith

a) The reasons for the decisionb) The name and designation of theperson giving the decision

c) Details of the fees calculated

d) Right of the petitioner w.r.t. reviewof the decision

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Rejection [S. 7(8)]

1. The reasons for such a rejection

2. The period within which an appeal

against such a rejection may be

preferred

3. The particulars of the appellate

authority

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Stipulated Time 48 hours [S. 7(1)]

30 days [S. 7(1)]

35 days [S. 5(2)]

40 days [S. 11(3)]

Failure to provide information instipulated time [S. 7(3)]

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Fees Determination of fee

Below poverty line [S. 7(5)]

Additional fee to be paid

Fee when response is delayed [S. 7(6)]

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State Information Commission Every State Gov shall constitute the SIC

[S. 15(1)]

Process of constitution

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Information Officer HierarchyState Information Commission

Officer senior in rank to the StatePublic Information Officer

State Assistant Public Information Officer

State Public Information Officer

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Appeals First Appeal [S. 19(1)]

With the officer senior in rank to the State

Public Information Officer

Second Appeal [S. 19(3)]

With the State Information Commission

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Reasons for Appeal [S. 18(1)]1. No Information officer

2. Request refused

3. No response

4. Unreasonable fee

5. Incomplete, misleading or false

information

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Powers of State Information

Commission

Burden of proof on the IO [S. 20 (1)]

Fine [S. 20(1)]

Disciplinary action [S. 20(2)]

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Reports Annual report [S. 25(1)]

Guide in official language [S. 26(2)]

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Thank you !

makarand@ccsindia.orgCentre for Civil Society