Delhi Right To Information Act 2001 [DRTIA]

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Delhi Right To Information Act 2001DRTIA

• Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative
• N-8, Second Floor
• Green Park, New Delhi 110 016
• Tel [phone]
• Fax [phone]
• Email chriall_at_nda.vsnl.net.in
• Website www.humanrightsinitiative.org

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DRTIA 2001 - You can now

• Access Information from Departments of the Delhi
  Government by
• Getting certified copies of documents or records
  (You can also take notes and extracts or inspect
  them)
• Inspection of works, taking samples of material.

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Information Also to Be Provided VOLUNTARILY

• Government Departments to publish information at
  fixed intervals like
• Particulars of organisation, functions and
  duties
• Details of facilities available to citizens for
  obtaining information.
• Categories of records maintained by them
• Information regarding important decisions and
  policies that will affect the public.
• This info to be published in booklets, folders,
  pamphlets and through notice boards, information
  counters, websites etc.

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Information- From Whom?

• You can access information from about 120
  departments of the Delhi Government
• Each dept. has an officer called
• COMPETENT AUTHORITY (CA)
• The CAs role-
• Accept applications for and provide/reject
  information.

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Getting Information- You Have To

• Fill up a form (FORM A) stating what
  information you want. (Available with CAs free of
  cost.).
• Submit it to the COMPETENT AUTHORITY.
• Forms can also be submitted through E-mail.

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Does One Have to Pay Anything?

• Yes!
• Application fee to be paid while submitting the
  form which is
• Rs. 50/- for general information.
• Rs. 500/- for commercial information.(like
  tenders/contracts/bids etc.).
• In addition to this Rs. 5/- per page to be paid
  for supply of information.
• For applications via E-mail, payment of
  application fee to be made in 7 days.

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After You File an Application

• The CA should provide information or reject your
  application giving reasons in writing.
• The CA should do this normally within 15 days and
  in any case within 30 days from the date of
  applying.

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Can the CA Refuse to Give You Information?

• Yes.
• But ONLY if the information falls under Sec 6 of
  the DRTIA. No other reason can be given by the
  CA.
• For example. Info regarding sovereignty/security
  of the country affecting Centre/State relations,
  trade commercial secret etc.
• Note Normally information needed by
  RWAs/Citizens doesnt fall under the exempted
  categories.

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What to Do If

• You dont hear from the CA within 30 days
• or,
• You dont think CA has provided you with the
  correct information
• or,
• You dont agree with the CAs reasons for
  rejecting your application.
• You can file an APPEAL to the
• PUBLIC GRIEVANCE COMMISSION (PGC)
• M-BLOCK, II FLOOR, VIKAS BHAWAN, NEW
  DELHI-110002
• Phone No. 23379900 Fax No. 23379903
  23378134

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If the PGC Decides in Your Favour

• The CA has to provide the information to you
  within the timeframe specified by the PGC. (This
  period cannot be beyond 30 days from the date of
  the receipt of the order.)
• NOTE You have to pay a fee of Rs. 50/- while
  filing an appeal to the PGC.

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What Happens to Erring Officials?

• If no information or reasons for rejection given
  within 30 days-
• Penalty of Rs. 50/- for each days delay,
  subject to a maximum of Rs.500/-.
• If false information is given-
• Penalty of Rs. 1000/- per application is to be
  levied on the official.

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RWAs RTI

• FULFILL CONSTANT NEED FOR INFORMATION.
• INCREASE PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNANCE.
• CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS AN ACCOUNTABLE TRANSPARENT
  FUNCTIONING OF THE GOVERNMENT.

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GROUP ACTIVITY

• Identify two key issues of concern
• Identify Government Body and the Information
  Needed
• Frame Questions and Fill Form A

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Thank You

• Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative
• N-8, Second Floor
• Green Park, New Delhi 110 016
• Tel [phone]
• Fax [phone]
• Email chriall_at_nda.vsnl.net.in
• Website www.humanrightsinitiative.org