Academic Associate – IIM Academic Associate – IIM AhmedabadAhmedabad

KALPESHKUMAR L. KALPESHKUMAR L. GUPTAGUPTA

LL.M., MBL (NLSIU), M.Phil. (Law), LL.M., MBL (NLSIU), M.Phil. (Law), PGDM PGDM

NATIONAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CONFERENCE ON STRENGTHENING STRENGTHENING PARTICIPATORY PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY & GOOD DEMOCRACY & GOOD GOVERNANCEGOVERNANCEJanuary 5, 2014January 5, 2014

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Outline of the presentation :-

1. Introduction2.Recent scenario of RTI in

various states.3.RTI Applications and

Findings4.Conclusion &

Recommendation5.Video on Online RTI6.Q & A

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Various options for RTI fees payment

1. Cash2. Bank Draft3. Indian Postal Order4. Court Fees5. Revenue Stamp6. Judicial Stamp Paper7. Electronic franking8. Challan

Gujarat Right to Information Rules, 2010

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Video Conferencing Facility

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Rs. 10 to be included in telephone bill.

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Maharashtra set to become 1st state to allow online filing of RTI applicationsDNA, Mumbai, December 26, 2013

To make the process of filing Right To Information (RTI) applications easy, Maharashtra will soon become the first state to enable people to seek information online under the Act.

“People will soon be able to file RTI applications online,” Maharashtra information technology (IT) secretary Rajesh Aggarwal told dna, adding that the National Informatics Centre (NIC) was fine-tuning the system

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RTI Application in Central Information Commission

Details asked….

-Appeals-Complaints-Pendency of appeals/complaints-Penalty-Disciplinary action taken

Findings….

-Till October 2013 24,326 cases pending for disposal-No details available about pendency of cases-Vacancy of 6 posts of Information Commissioner-Pendency of appeals/complaints-Penalty-Disciplinary action taken

RTI Application inGujarat State Information Commission

Details asked….

-Appeals-Complaints-Pendency of appeals/complaints-Penalty-Disciplinary action taken

Findings….

-As on October 31, 2013 total 10,318 cases are pending-Commission does not have proper information of penalty levied, compensation awarded, disciplinary action taken-RTI Appeal is missing filed against the High Court of Gujarat

December 24, 2013

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Conclusion

1.After 8 years of existence RTI has not developed so far.

2.Lacuna in policies at state and central level.

3.Disparity in RTI Rules of various states.4.Some states are doing good job but

some not taking much initiative to flourish RTI Act.

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Recommendation

1. Full disclosure under 4(1)(b) of RTI Act.2. RTI Application/Appeal forms standardization3. Various payment options for RTI application

fees.4. Benches of Commission to be established in

the state as per necessity.5. Whistle Blower’s Bill to be passed at the

earliest.6. Video Conferencing facility at Commission’s

office.7. Vacancies of Information Commissioners to be

filled up at the earliest.8. Robust Centralized Online RTI

Application/Appeal mechanism to be set up.9. Helpline Centre for RTI Application/Appeal.10. Intensive campaign for RTI Awareness. (Sec 26 RTI Act, 2005)

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- Various options for fees payment

- Introduce RTI Stamp Fees

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Click on PA/FC

Figure 1 : Online RTI Application Flow

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Click on PA/FC

Figure 1 : Online RTI Application Flow

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Figure 1 : Online RTI Application Flow

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References :-

8 years on, RTI Act awaits proper implementation”, Hindustan Times, Shimla, November 17, 2013 available at http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/himachalpradesh/8-years-on-rti-act-awaits-proper-implementation/article1-1152393.aspx accessed on December 15, 2013.

Mukherji Anahita, “Maharashtra tops country in attacks, murder of RTI activists”, Times of India, December 22, 2013 available at http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Maharashtra-tops-country-in-attacks-murder-of-RTI-activists/articleshow/27743408.cms accessed on December 22, 2013

Bhatia Varinder, “Haryana info body begins hearing pleas of RTI applicants through video-conferencing”, The Indian Express, Chandigarh, August 29, 2013 available at http://www.indianexpress.com/news/haryana-info-body-begins-hearing-pleas-of-rti-applicants-through-videoconferencing/1161674/ accessed on December 17, 2013

Maharashtra State Information Commission, http://sic.maharashtra.gov.in/Site/Home/Index.aspx accessed on December 17, 2013

Jankari Facilitation Centre, Bihar available at http://www.biharonline.gov.in/rti/index.aspx?ln=en accessed on December 17, 2013

Chauhan Chetan, “Provide RTI Stamps as application fee : CIC”, Hindustan Times, New Delhi, September 5, 2013 available at http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/newdelhi/provide-rti-stamps-as-application-fee-cic/article1-1117858.aspx accessed on December 17, 2013

Office Memorandum No. 1/1/2013-IR, Dated April 22, 2013 available at http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02rti/1_1_2013-IR-D.pdf accessed on December 17, 2013

Kalpeshkumar L Guptaadvocatekgupta@gmail.com

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