Govt. puts limits on our Right To Information (RTI)

[dheerajjain]

Source: Hindustan Times
Date: 11-Aug-12
http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-new ... 11648.aspx

Now there is a limit to how many questions you can ask under the right to information law.

The government has introduced a 500-word limit for RTI applications under new rules notified last week and decided to make applicants pay for the postage too if the charges exceed Rs. 50. The Right to Information Rules, 2012 has been in the works for 21 months that saw civil society accuse the government of curbing its right through the backdoor.

Sonia Gandhi-led National Advisory Council (NAC) had taken up negotiations with the government on behalf of the civil society. As part of a compromise formula, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), however, has agreed to give up the move to bar applicants from raising more than one subject.

It was part of the same deal that the NAC agreed to the 500-word limit but emphasised that applications exceeding this limit should not be rejected. The July 31 notification, however, does not explicitly incorporate this disclaimer, leaving applicants at the mercy of government departments.

Incidentally, the NAC had declared less than four months ago that the new rules “have been put in abeyance”. But the Prime Minister’s Office – which had been holding on to the file since January – appears to have cleared the restrictions.

Maharashtra CM Prithviraj Chavan, who had pushed the original proposal as the central minister in 2010, has implemented a similar set of “retrograde” rules in the state.

The new rules also make it mandatory for poorest citizens to produce a BPL certificate every time they seek information to get fee exemption.

The only positive news is an enabling provision to let applicants pay online if this facility is available with public authorities. Once this facility is set up when the postal department launches online postal orders, NRIs would be able to use the transparency law.

[dheerajjain]

My comments as a regular RTI filer is that word limit does NOT make much difference. RTI applications should be request for information with clear and concise language. No complaints of any kind against anyone should be present. 500 words exclude the words used for addresses. So, lot of questions can be asked in 500 words.

Decision of allowing electronic postal orders by NRIs for paying RTI fees is a welcome step. It will enable our friends who are located outside India to conveniently file RTI applications.

[rtiwari2k7]

Dear Mr. Dheeraj,
As you might aware, Builders are asking us to pay the enhanced EDC otherwise they are imposing 18% interest. Even if I have written request mail to provide the calculation but they are failed to do so. Please suggest how I can get the help from GFWA?

Regards,
Rajeev Tiwari
Gracious Tower, Imperial Estate (SPR)

[dheerajjain]

In my personal opinion, you should pay out enhanced EDC according to your calculations. Attach covering letter along with payment