Right To Information

Information means any material in any form including records, documents, memos, e-mails, opinions, advices, press releases, circulars, orders, logbooks, contracts, reports, papers, samples, models, data material held in any electronic form and information relating to any private body which can be accessed by a public authority under any other law for the time being in force but does not include "file noting". When we use our right to information properly with responsibility and also provide the right information to authorities when needed, we can work to curb corruption quite effective.

Right to Information includes the right to
1) Inspect works, documents, and records.
2) Takes notes, extracts or certified copies of documents or records.
3) Take certifies samples of material.
4) Obtain information in form of printouts, diskettes, floppies, tapes, videos cassettes or in any other electronic mode or through printouts.

Person exempted from obligation to disclose all information to all are specified in the law. This is done in order to maintain some secrets of national security. The exclusion however is not absolute and these organizations have an obligation to provide information pertaining to allegations of corruption and human rights valuations could be given but only with the approval of the Central or State Information Commission, as the case may be.

Limit to obtain this information is specified in the law as under
1) 30 days from the date of application
2) 48 hours for information concerning the life and liberty of a person.
3) 5 days shall be added to the above response time, in case the application for information is given to Assistant Public Information Officer.
4) If the interests of the third party are involved then time will be 40 days Maximum period plus time given to the party to make representation.
5) Failure to provide information within the specified period is a deemed refusal.

Powers of the information commission are specified by the law. The Central Information Commission/State Information Commission has a duty to accept applications and work on them if the applicant has no other source to apply. Every PIO will be liable for fine of Rupees 250 per day, up to a maximum of Rupees 25,000/- for not accepting an application, denying information release without reasonable cause or denying information, knowingly giving incomplete, incorrect, misleading information, destroying information that has been requested and obstructing furnishing of information in any manner.

Mr. Liyakat Shah
I N D I A

About Author / Additional Info:
A teacher by profession