RTI Simplified: What, How, Why, Does it work?
Each Indian has many Rights, but we may not be aware or demand it because of many reasons, however the objective of today’s blog is to share how you can utilize one of the most powerful tool – RTI (Right to Information). The RTI Act was passed too late in India but hats off to thousands of activists who have demanded for it and ensured the common man has the Right To Information.
Now as an Indian, you may not have a choice to complain anymore as you have the power to bring a change. Still the choice is yours to do or not :-)
"If information and knowledge are central to democracy, they are conditions for development." - Kofi Annan
What is RTI Act?
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.
For what situations one can apply RTI?
- From Infrastructure point of view, you can raise an RTI, seeking information on Tender process, selection process, terms and conditions, contract awarded to, penalty applied or if you have lodged complain on potholes – what was the action taken? http://www.mcgm.gov.in/irj/portal/anonymous?NavigationTarget=navurl://3b69836384abb93ed318375c90d11335
- Let’s say you had applied for a Gas Connection with HP and they have not given you a connection, you may raise RTI – seeking information on how many connections have been issued in your locality post your application or in that tenure. You may also seek information, why your application was delayed? http://www.hindustanpetroleum.com/En/UI/RTIAct.aspx
- You believe doctor is your locality is using someone else certificate or not qualified and still practicing. You may write to medical council of India or respective state medical council. http://www.mciindia.org/ActsandAmendments/RighttoInformation.aspx
How to apply for RTI?
- Step 1: Know your problem and what information you desire to seek from any public sector or government organization [I wanted to check whether a particular doctor practicing in a particular locality was genuine or fake]
- Step 2: Ensure you have address where you would like to send the RTI application. [Login to Internet and you check the website of that organization. There shall be link called RTI Act or Contact us] Or you may visit the office and meet the concerned official and seek inputs on the process and details of DD/Postal Order to be issued [Visited Medical council of India and Gujarat Medical Council website - Courtesy google search, called up their helpline on contact us and asked for required information]
- Step 3: Visit a Bank to get a DD to be issued in the name of ‘Account Officer,
or you may call the respective organization on the listed number and you can confirm with them the name. The DD shall be of Rs. 10 (INR Ten). [Don’t worry if it is wrong, because if it is wrong, they shall revert to you with the details. Or visit post office and issue a Postal order in favor of ‘Account officer, of Rs. 10. [Postal Order shall be cheaper option compared to DD as processing fees is less] [Please refer Image below]
- Step 4: Take a blank paper and write a letter in your preferred language [To Account officer, Address, questions seeking information, your address, contact number, email id]. [Please refer Image below]
Some content has been masked to ensure privacy of individual.
- Step 5: Put the letter in an envelope and send it using either using a registered post or a courier for your reference.
Your job is done and you shall get a response in 30 days.
Response received from the MCI is as illustrated below.
Note: If you have requested information and if the cost of preparing document or CD is there, then the organization shall provide you the required information and send you an intimation stating the additional amount to be paid. Ensure you pay it, I don’t know what happens if you don’t pay :-)
If you do not get a response, you can lodge complain with the senior or else with Chief Information Commissioner, however there shall not be a need for the same. All the information is available on respective website or else visit http://rti.gov.in/ .
Any plan for applying another one?
Yes, to check whether caste based reservation helps in higher education or not? If not, then take appropriate action as deemed fit. May seek your help, if you believe, please mail me !!!!
I thought it would be useful to share our fundamental rights, which may have been forgotten!!!
- Right to equality, including equality before law, prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth, and equality of opportunity in matters of employment, abolition of untouchability and abolition of titles.
- Right to freedom which includes speech and expression, assembly, association or union or cooperatives, movement, residence, and right to practice any profession or occupation (some of these rights are subject to security of the State, friendly relations with foreign countries, public order, decency or morality), right to life and liberty, right to education, protection in respect to conviction in offences and protection against arrest and detention in certain cases.
- Right against exploitation, prohibiting all forms of forced labour, child labour and traffic in human beings;
- Right to freedom of religion, including freedom of conscience and free profession, practice, and propagation of religion, freedom to manage religious affairs, freedom from certain taxes and freedom from religious instructions in certain educational institutes.
- Cultural and Educational rights preserving Right of any section of citizens to conserve their culture, language or script, and right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.
- Right to constitutional remedies for enforcement of Fundamental Rights.
Guys, you all have a choice to do something or live the life the way it is. Time is running out, its just going to April or May 2014 when our 16 General Elections will be. You have a choice to do something today or complain for next 5 years.Have a beautiful week ahead.
