Right to Information Act

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Right To Information Act

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IntroductionAmara Bandukada

To promote transparency and accountability in administration, the Indian Parliament enacted RTI Act that empowers Indian citizens to seek information from a Public Authority, thus making the Government and its functionaries more accountable and responsible.

It also includes information relating to any private body which can be accessed by the public authority under any law for the time being in force.

The Act extends to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir.

Information is any material in any form. It includes :

Records or documents.

Memos.

E-mails.

Opinions & advices.

Press releases

Circulars & orders.

Logbooks & contracts.

Reports or papers.

Samples.

Models.

Data material held in any electronic form.

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Scopes & Functionsof RTI Act

Anushree Ambardekar

The following Governments, Organizations & bodies are covered

under RTI and are subject to it :

Central, State and Local Governments.

All bodies owned, controlled or substantially financed by these governments.

NGOs substantially financed directly or indirectly by appropriate government funds.

Executive, Judiciary and legislature wings.

The Act applies to all States and Union Territories of India, except the State of Jammu and Kashmir - which is covered under a State-level RTI law.

The Act specifies that citizens have a right to:

• Request any information.

• Obtain copies of documents.

• Inspect documents, works and records.

• Take certified samples of materials of work.

• Obtain copies of permissible governmental documents.

• Inspect permissible governmental documents.

• Inspect permissible Governmental works and obtain samples

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Government’s role in RTI Act

Sampurna Chawdhary

Develop educational programme.Encourage participation of public

authorities.Train officers.Compile and disseminate a User

Guide.Publish names, designation postal

addresses of PIOs.

Government’s Role :

Who has the rule making power ?

Who has the power to deal with the difficulties while implementing this act ?

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Exclusions in RTIPriscilla Thomas

Following are excluded from RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT

• Central Intelligence and Security agencies  • Directorate general of Income Tax Investigation • RAW• Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) • Directorate of Revenue Intelligence• Central Economic Intelligence Bureau• Directorate of Enforcement • Narcotics Control Bureau • Aviation Research Centre • Special Frontier Force• BSF, CRPF, ITBP, CISF, NSG • Special Service Bureau• Special Branch (CID)• The Crime Branch-CID-CB

Provide information pertaining to allegations of corruption and human rights violations.

Confidence from foreign Government Relating to allegations of human rights  Disclosure of which would cause a breach of

privilege of Parliament or the State Legislature Endanger the life or physical safety of any person

for security purposes. Impede the process of investigation or

prosecution of offenders. Cabinet papers including records of deliberations

of the Council of Ministers, Secretaries and other officers.

Disclosure of which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of India.

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ImpactsAyush Parekh

Impacts of RTI on Indian Society :

o Greater Transparency.o Citizen-centric approach

to development.o Democratization of

information and knowledge.

o Reduction in Corruption.o Promotion of citizen-

government partnership.o Greater Accountability.

Access to Information in India

Cheap: Fee for information: Rs.10, nil for BPL.

Simple: Application on a white paper.

Quick : Response within 30 days in normal case, within 48 hours for life & liberty considerations.

No need to give reason for seeking information.

Officer in every department to provide information.

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ConclusionAmara Bandukada

• We can conclude that RTI has benefited a lot of poor and underprivileged people to acquire information easily.

• It saves a lot of time than compared to before.

• It also makes the people aware that they have a legal right to get information about anything in any form.

Thank You !