RTI Act 2005 How much did you know about the most important act in recent times?

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he RTI is a powerful tool, which gives you the chance to transform the way the government and its officials function. By asking for information, you ask for the government to be more transparent and accountable. Since the 12th October, 2005, this powerful tool is in your hands. An act to provide for setting out the practical regime of RTI Act 2005 for citizen to secure access the information under the control of public authorities, in order to promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority, the constitution of a central information commission and state information commissions and for matters connected therewith of incidental thereto. Whereas, the constitution of India has established democratic Republic. And, Whereas democracy requires an informed citizenry and transparency of information which are vital to its functioning and also to contain corruption and to hold govt. and their instrumentalities accountability Whereas revelation of information in actual practice is likely to conflict with other public interest including efficient operations of the Governments, optimum use of limited fiscal resources and the preservation of confidentiality sensitive information. And, whereas it is necessary to harmonise these conflicting interest while preserving the paramount of the democratic ideal. Now , therefore, it is expedient to provide for furnishing certain information to citizen who desire to have it. And therefore, don’t hesitate to file RTI case, because RTI Act is a fundamental right to all the citizens of India.The main objective of RTI Act 2005 is to promote transparency and accountability in the working of every Public Authority and to contain corruption. Don’t sit and watch but get involved and use your right to information today. 1. What is RTI As the name suggests, it is Right to Information Act 2005. This Act was introduced in the parliament to provide a practical regime of the right to information (one of our fundamental rights). Under this act we can question every act of a public authority, central or state government, etc. any information about the government deeds in a certain area can be attained by simply filling out a form. 2. How do we use it? All you need for filing an RTI is a Rs. 10 court fee stamp, an identity proof (pan card/ passport/ration card/ driver’s license) and of course a typed or written paper. The main aim of this letter is to keep it short and simple. You can ask for any documents you wish to verify or investigate, from the profits or costing of government projects to the nuisance records against any particular government institution. 3. Charges The basic charges of filing a RTI is Rs 10 for the court fee stamp. Additional fee differ from state to state. The cost of each photocopies A4 size is Rs.2, providing CDs, etc. of the requested documents will be charged accordingly. 4. Timely Supply According to the act the information should be provided within 30 days with the exception of certain special circumstances. If the information concerns the life or liberty of a person, it should be provided within 48 hours. If the information is not provided within the timeline, it is then to be given free of charge. 5. Exclusions While the RTI applies to most of our states and all our union territories, there are certain data which has been excluded for various reasons. The RTI act is not available for Jammu and Kashmir. Central Intelligence and Security agencies specified in the Second Schedule like IB, 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, Assam Rifles, Special Service Bureau, Special Branch (CID), Andaman and Nicobar, the Crime Branch-CID-CB, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Special Branch, Lakshadweep Police. Agencies specified by the State Governments through a Notification will also be excluded. Also, Students cannot attain their exam answer sheets for personal evaluation under this act. Know your own right. Contributed by, SHRI.S LEPZUNG JAMIR (Social Activist) Recipient of: - Bharat Excellence Award. Contact No. 8729993847 E-mail:- nesmstuli@gmail.com llwstuli@gmail.com