RTI Full Form

RTI stands for Right to Information. RTI is an act with the main goal of providing the people of India with the right to access information. RTI was adopted by the Parliament of India on 15 June 2005 and came into force on 12th October 2005. RTI ensures accountability and transparency in the functioning of the government and its officials. RTI is not a fundamental right but it’s an implied fundamental right as it comes under the fundamental rights of Freedom of Expression, Speech (article 19-1a), and Right to life and personal liberty (article 21). RTI protects both the rights mentioned above.

Governance

At the central level, operations regarding RTI in central departments and ministries are headed by CIC (Central Information Commission). CIC is headed by the President of India. Public Information Officers (PIOs) work in CIC at the central level to pass the information. 

At the state level, the operations of RTI in state departments and ministries are headed by SIC (State Information Commission). SIC is headed by the State Governor. State Public Information Officers (SPIOs) at the state level ensure that people are able to access the information. 

Objectives of RTI

The main objectives of RTI are:

1. To empower the citizens to question the government.
2. To make the government and its officials accountable to people in all aspects.
3. To build a clean and democratic nation.

Uses of RTI

1. It enables normal people to know what’s going on in the government.
2. It gives access to every citizen to question any kind of evil practices going into the implementation of government policies.
3. It enables continual progress monitoring of the government.

Scope of Application of RTI

• Information regarding government authorities can be accessed by people through RTI. Government Authorities including executives, legislature, and judiciary can be questioned by people. 
• Information regarding Privatized Public Utility Companies can be accessed by people. 
• Information regarding Private Institutions and NGOs receiving 95% of their infrastructure funds from the government can be accessed by people. 

Every day on average, 4800 RTI applications are filed by people. In the first ten years of the launch of the RTI act, 1,75,00,000 RTI applications were filed by the people of India. 

Parties Exempted from RTI

According to section 24 of the RTI act, some organizations were exempted from people’s to access information to protect the country from external threats and to keep the information of the country secure.

Some of them are:

• Intelligence and Security Organizations
• Intelligence Bureau
• Research and Analysis Wing
• Directorate of Revenue Intelligence
• Central Economic Intelligence Bureau
• Narcotics Control Bureau
• Border Security Forces

Difference between RTI and Anti Corruption Law

RTI is an act launched to make the government and its officials accountable to people for what they are doing and when coming to anti-corruption law it was launched to punish government employees if he or she takes gratification other than their legal remuneration in exchange for performing an official act or influencing other public employees.

Who can Apply for RTI?

Any citizen of India who is willing to know the information of accounts related to any kind of scheme or organization belonging to the public sector without telling the reason can apply for RTI. And the required information should be provided to them within 30 days.

How to File RTI

• RTI can be filed online or through the post. To file RTI we should visit the official website of the Central Information Commission.
• Download the RTI application from the website which will be in a PDF format.
• Fill in the details of the person who wants to seek the information.
• The name of the authority or organization whose information we want to seek should be mentioned.
• Then we should file an affidavit by providing the dates and should state that information provided is true to the best of my knowledge.
• Finally, we should post it on the website or by filling out the form it can be sent by post to the office.
• Some fees should be paid along with the application intimated by PIO.

RTI filed should be provided regarding information by the government officials within 30 days. But if the issue involves the petitioner’s life and liberty, information has to be provided within 48 hours of filing the RTI. A complaint can be raised to question the officials in case of violation. If any request was refused, then the person can appeal to the first appellate authority who is an officer senior in rank to the Public Information Officer.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, we can say that RTI is a powerful tool that helps in maintaining transparency in the government and its affairs and makes the government and its officials accountable to the people. RTI empowers the people of India against administrative corruption, irregularities, and irresponsive attitude of administrative machinery which is helpful in building a clear as well as strong democratic nation. 

FAQs on RTI

Q1. Which body processes the RTI request at a state level?

Ans: At the state level, the operations of RTI in state departments and ministries are headed by SIC (State Information Commission). SIC is headed by the State Governor. State Public Information Officers (SPIOs) at the state level ensure that people are able to access the information. 

Q2. Do political parties come under RTI?

Ans: No, in 2013, the government introduced an RTI amendment bill that exempted the political parties from the scope of RTI. Now, currently a case is running against it to include the political parties in the scope of RTI.

Q3. Is RTI a fundamental right?

Ans: No, RTI is not a direct fundamental right but it’s an implied fundamental right that comes under the fundamental rights of Freedom of Expression, Speech (article 19-1a), and Right to life and personal liberty (article 21).

Q4. Is it necessary to give any reason for seeking information?

Ans: The information seeker is not needed to give reasons for seeking information.

Q5. What is the fee for the BPL applicants for seeking information?

Ans: If the person sending the application belongs to the below poverty line (BPL) category, he or she is not required to pay any fee. However, he or she should submit proof in support of, to claim that he belongs to the below poverty line.