1. Academic Associate – IIM Ahmedabad
8 YEARS OF RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT IN INDIA : AN APPRAISAL
KALPESHKUMAR L. GUPTA LL.M., MBL (NLSIU), M.Phil. (Law), PGDM
Academic Associate – IIM Ahmedabad
NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON STRENGTHENING PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY & GOOD GOVERNANCE
January 5, 2014

2. Outline of the presentation :- Introduction
Recent scenario of RTI in various states.
RTI Applications and Findings
Conclusion & Recommendation
Video on Online RTI
Q & A
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3. Introduction
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4. RTI Act, 2005 – October 13, 2005
Central Information Commission (CIC), New Delhi/ State Information Commission
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5. Recent Scenario
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6. Various options for RTI fees payment
Gujarat Right to Information Rules, 2010
Cash
Bank Draft
Indian Postal Order
Court Fees
Revenue Stamp
Judicial Stamp Paper
Electronic franking
Challan
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7. Benches
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8. Video Conferencing Facility
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9. Rs. 10 to be included in telephone bill.
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11. Maharashtra set to become 1st state to allow online filing of RTI applications
DNA, 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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12. RTI Application & Findings
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13. Central Information Commission
RTI Application in
Central Information Commission
Details asked….
Appeals
Complaints
Pendency of appeals/complaints
Penalty
Disciplinary action taken
Findings….
Till October ,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

14. Gujarat State Information Commission
RTI Application in
Gujarat 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

15. December 24, 2013

16. Conclusion
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17. Conclusion After 8 years of existence RTI has not developed so far.
Lacuna in policies at state and central level.
Disparity in RTI Rules of various states.
Some states are doing good job but some not taking much initiative to flourish RTI Act.
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18. Recommendation
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19. Recommendation Full disclosure under 4(1)(b) of RTI Act.
RTI Application/Appeal forms standardization
Various payment options for RTI application fees.
Benches of Commission to be established in the state as per necessity.
Whistle Blower’s Bill to be passed at the earliest.
Video Conferencing facility at Commission’s office.
Vacancies of Information Commissioners to be filled up at the earliest.
Robust Centralized Online RTI Application/Appeal mechanism to be set up.
Helpline Centre for RTI Application/Appeal.
Intensive campaign for RTI Awareness.
(Sec 26 RTI Act, 2005)
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20. Special Recommendation
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21. Manual Application Various options for fees payment
Introduce RTI Stamp Fees
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22. Online Application/Appeal Figure 1 : Online RTI Application Flow
State
District
Public Authority
Facilitation Centre
Click on PA/FC
Figure 1 : Online RTI Application Flow
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23. Figure 1 : Online RTI Application Flow
State
District
Public Authority
Facilitation Centre
Click on PA/FC
Figure 1 : Online RTI Application Flow
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24. Figure 1 : Online RTI Application Flow
State
District
Public Authority
Facilitation Centre
Figure 1 : Online RTI Application Flow
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25. References :-
8 years on, RTI Act awaits proper implementation”, Hindustan Times, Shimla, November 17, 2013 available at accessed on December 15, 2013.
Mukherji Anahita, “Maharashtra tops country in attacks, murder of RTI activists”, Times of India, December 22, 2013 available at 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 accessed on December 17, 2013
Maharashtra State Information Commission, accessed on December 17, 2013
Jankari Facilitation Centre, Bihar available at accessed on December 17, 2013
Chauhan Chetan, “Provide RTI Stamps as application fee : CIC”, Hindustan Times, New Delhi, September 5, 2013 available at accessed on December 17, 2013
Office Memorandum No. 1/1/2013-IR, Dated April 22, 2013 available at accessed on December 17, 2013
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26. Kalpeshkumar L Gupta
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