What is the purpose of this Act? 

Citizen Empowerment: This Act empowers every citizen to apply for information held by government officials. The main objective of this Act is to empower the citizens of the country. 

Transparency: This Act's main objective is to promote transparency in government operations and prevent corruption. 

Accountability: This Act increases accountability among government officials by mandating timely responses to requests from the public. It informs every citizen about the work of the government.

Who is eligible to apply?

Any citizen of India can file an RTI application.

Information can be requested from any government official under the Central or State Government.

Response Time: Government officials must respond within 30 days of receiving the request. 

How to file an RTI application? 

Step 1: A request must be written. This application should clearly provide details of the information you want. 

Format: The application can be handwritten or typed. It should be given to the Public Information Officer (PIO) of the relevant department.

Subject Clearly: Clearly state that this is an RTI application.

Clearly state what information you need: Provide your name and contact details (address, phone number). 

The RTI application form should be as follows: 

Public Information Officer,
[Department Name],
[Address]

Subject: Request for information under the Right to Information Act, 2005

Respected Sir/Madam,

I am a citizen of India, [Your Name], residing at [Your Address]. I would like to obtain information under Section 6 of the RTI Act, 2005 regarding [Specific information you are requesting]. (Add the payment receipt to the application form as proof of payment of the application fee.)

Thank you.

Sincerely..
[Your Name]
[Phone Number]

Step 2: Application Fee 

According to RTI Regulations, 2012, a nominal fee has to be paid for the RTI application. INR 10 has to be paid for application submission. However, citizens belonging to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category are exempted from this fee. For this, they have to show their BPL card. The application fee has to be paid through Demand Draft, Indian Postal Order, Online Payment (for online applications) through the relevant portal. 

Step 3: Application Submission 

Personal Submission: You can submit your application directly to the PIO in the relevant department.

Postal Submission: Your application can be sent by registered post or speed post.

Online Submission: Many states have set up online portals to file RTI applications. For example, applicants can use RTI Online for applications related to Central Government departments.

Step 4: How to track the submitted application?
 
After submitting the application, you will receive a unique registration number. This number is very important to track your application status. The application status can be checked online or by contacting the PIO directly.

Important points:

Government officials must respond to the application within a specific time frame.
 
30 days: General requests may take 30 days.

48 hours: If there are requests related to life or freedom issues, a response should be given within 2 days. 

Appeal Process:

The Act also provides an opportunity to file an appeal if no response is received or the information provided is not satisfactory.

First Appeal: The first appeal can be filed with the officer within 30 days of receiving the response or after the time you should have received it has passed.

Second Appeal: If you are still dissatisfied with the information you received after filing the first appeal, you can file a second appeal with the Central Information Commission (CIC) or the State Information Commission (SIC).

Exemptions under RTI:

Certain categories of information cannot be disclosed under Section 8 of the RTI Act. There are exemptions such as national security, personal privacy, information received confidentially from foreign governments, and trade secrets. 

Filing an RTI application is a simple process that allows citizens to obtain information and promote transparency in government operations. It is the duty of every citizen to ensure transparency in governance by making full use of this right. 

The Right to Information Act is a powerful tool that empowers Indian citizens to hold their government accountable and demand transparency in its operations. Filing an RTI may seem a bit difficult at first. However, if you start the process with a clear understanding, it will go smoothly.

By using this Act effectively, citizens can help reduce corruption and increase legislative and executive accountability in governance. 

What are the mistakes made while filing an RTI application?

By filing an RTI (Right to Information) application, Indian citizens can maintain transparency in the work of government officials. Their accountability can be increased. However, in some cases, requests are rejected. There is a delay in getting the required information. Let us now know some common mistakes that occur in the application. 

1. Vague or lengthy questions:

Generally, if you ask vague or lengthy questions, your application is likely to be rejected. Applicants often ask lengthy questions and irrelevant information instead of clearly asking what they want. For example, instead of asking 'Provide information about the department's activities', it is more effective to ask 'Provide the minutes of the meetings held by the department in the last six months'. The response will be faster if you specify the specific documents to be provided. 

2. Asking hypothetical questions.

It is also difficult to get an answer from the concerned department if you ask hypothetical questions. For example, 'What happens if a particular policy is implemented?' Asking that does not qualify as a valid Right to Information application under the law. Only information related to documented facts or documents is provided. 

3. Using RTI for grievance redressal

Many applicants misuse RTI applications to resolve personal grievances or resolve disputes. The RTI Act was not implemented for this purpose. It should be remembered that this Act was created to promote transparency by enabling citizens to obtain information about government operations.