Understand Right to Information (RTI) Act
Hello friends. Yesterday i gave you a glimpse of exactly what RTI is. From today i will try to explain every minute detail about it. So without wasting a single minute lets start with the legal definition of Right to Information (RTI) Act. RTI can be explained as “An Act to provide for setting out the practical regime of right to information for citizens to secure access to information under the control of public authorities, in order to promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority, the constitution of a Central Information Commission and State Information Commissions and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.”
The RTI Act came into force on the 12th October, 2005 (120th day of its enactment on 15th June, 2005). However before that nine state governments have passed the state Acts. These were J&K, Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Assam and Goa. Some provisions have come into force with immediate effect viz. obligations of public authorities, designation of Public Information Officers and Assistant Public Information Officers and, constitution of Central Information Commission constitution of State Information Commission, non-applicability of the Act to Intelligence and Security Organizations and power to make rules to carry out the provisions of the Act.
Now it’s imperative to understand what exactly information means? 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 it must be kept in mind that the information gained by the use of this Act is copyrighted information of the concerned authority and cannot be made public.
When the Act came into force, “file notings” were exempted from disclosure but Central Information Commission in one of its orders on January 31, 2006 clarified that “file notings are an integral part of the government file and are subject to disclosure under the Act.”
So today, i will end it right here as it is very imporatant to understand these three things discussed today:
- Definition of Right to Information (RTI).
- When did it come into force?
- What does information means as per this Act?
Understanding of the first and third point will help the individual to proficiently use this Act to get the exact information needed by him/her. The second point also hold significance as it shows (unfortunately) that this right was granted to citizens of India (largest democracy of the world) after 58 years of Independence.
If you want to work for the cause then visit my website working to spread the awreness about Right to Information (RTI) Act.
