What you should know about the Right to Information Act 2005

(Source : rediff.com) TNC Rajagopalan in New Delhi | October 03, 2005 16:03 IST

There are many questions related to the Right to Information Act, 2005 (RTI) that
readers would love answered. Here's an attempt at answering some frequently asked
questions on RTI.

How to get the text of the RTI Act?

The Web site persmin.nic.in provides a link to RTI that leads to
http://persmin.nic.in/RTI/WelcomeRTI.htm where the legal texts can be found. There
are further links to frequently asked questions (FAQ) on RTI.

Where can one find the Public Information Authority (PIO)?

Each public authority must designate a PIO at every administrative unit or office under it
to provide information to citizens under the RTI. The process of designating such
officers is on and, by October 12, 2005, a PIO must be in place in almost all the offices
of the public authorities.
It is possible that a designated PIO may not have the information requested for readily
available. In that case, he may seek the assistance of any other officer and inform the
person requesting the information accordingly.
The RTI says that any officer, whose assistance has been sought by the PIO for the
proper discharge of his or her duties, shall render all assistance and for the purpose of
contraventions of the provisions of this Act, such other officer shall be treated as a PIO.

What information can a PIO refuse to give?

A PIO can refuse information on 11 subjects that are listed in the RTI Act. These include
Cabinet papers, information received in confidence from foreign governments,
information prejudicial to security, strategic, scientific or economic interests of the
country, breach of privilege of legislatures, etc.
The central intelligence agencies need not give information, except on matters pertaining
to allegations of corruption or human rights violations.

Can a PIO provide only partial information?

A PIO may give only partial information if he has enough grounds to determine that the
information not made available get covered under the exemptions.
The decision of a PIO not to give certain information can always be challenged before
the Information Commission.

How to find out which government authority handles a particular matter?

Well, each public authority must publish details such as the particulars of its
organisation, functions and duties, the powers and duties of its officers and employees,
the procedure followed in its decision-making process, including channels of supervision
and accountability, the norms set by it for the discharge of its functions, the rules,
regulations, instructions, manuals and records used by its employees for discharging its
functions, a statement of the categories of the documents held by it or under its control,