How to file an RTI Petition

Have you ever wondered why the road in front of your house is always flooded during the rains, even though there is supposed to be a proper drain? Have you ever wondered where the money we pay as taxes goes into? Do you know where our local Member of Parliament spends the 2 crores he gets for out constituency? Do you know? Do you even want to know? Do you want answers to your questions regarding public institutions? If you do, then here’s a way to get them.

After years of lobbying, the Government in 2005 finally passed the Right To Information act, which enables the public to demand information from the government on public authorities (except off course classified defense and intelligence information) and get the same within 30 days (or 35 depending on the circumstances). This ensures that we are able to get proper accountability and also reduces instances of the burgeoning corruption.

So here’s how one goes about filing an RTI Petition:

STEP 1: Identify the Public Authority that holds the required information.

You first need to find the authority, which has the required information. If you are not sure, make a list of authorities that may have the information and then finalize on the authority. In any case, even if you submit it to the wrong authority, it will be forwarded to the right one, after intimating you and you will get the information within 30 days from the original date of submission on the act.

STEP 2: Identify who to submit your application to within the public authority.

After boiling down on the concerned authority, it is necessary to make a list and submit the form to the correct Public Information Officer (PIO) or the Assistant Public Information Officer (APIO). Every department has a PIO and APIO. If the form is submitted to the APIO, he forwards it to PIO, and the information will be given in 35 days.

STEP 3: Draft a clearly focused application.

You can draft your form in writing or electronic form in English, Hindi or the official regional language. Make sure it is drafted properly with all the required particulars, and make sure the information you ask is specific so that it is easier to get the information you actually want rather than pages of information you don’t need. Make sure it is drafted properly so that so that the PIO or APIO can’t reject your application on the basis of it being too vague.

STEP 4: Submit the application.

The application can be submitted to the PIO or APIO in the concerned authority, which has the information you need. You can submit it personally, or by post, fax or email. Make sure you always get your receipt for the application submitted. You will also have to pay a fee of Rs.10. Make sure to collect the receipt for that as well.

STEP 5: Wait for a decision.

Once the form is submitted, it is processed to make sure that the information is given within 30 days unless submitted to the APIO, which takes 35 days. If the information is such that is vital to the life and liberty of the person, the information must be given within 48 hours.

Now that you know how to file an RTI Petition, go out, wonder, ponder, think, question, demand and get your answer.

For your benefit, I have put a mock format of an application below. This is not a compulsory or absolute format. Its just one of the many.

From

( Your Name)

(Your Address)

(Date)

To,

(PIO)

(Address of Public Authority)

Subject: RTI Application regarding (Area of information needed)

Dear Sir/Ma’am,

Under the purview of the RTI Act, I seek the following information:

(Your Questions)

I would like the following information in electronic form- (Can be CD, Photocopies, Inspection)

Warm Regards,

(Your Name)

Details of Fee payment: Receipt number _________.