Right to Information ACT–2005
What is Right to Information Act ?
The Government of India has enacted `Right to Information Act 2005` to provide for setting out the practical regime of right to information for citizens to secure access to information under the control of Public Authorities in order to promote transparency and accountability in the working of any public authority.
What is Right to Information
The right to information includes an access to the information which is held by or under the control of any public authority and includes the right to inspect the work, document, records, taking notes, extracts or certified copies of documents / records and certified samples of the materials and obtaining information which is also stored in electronic form.
The Information Which is Exempted From Disclosure
The Act provides under Sections 8 and 9, certain categories of information that are exempted from disclosure to the citizens. The public may also refer to the related sections of the Act before submitting a request for information.
Who Can Ask for Information?
Any citizen can request for information by making an application in writing or through electronic means in English / Hindi / official language of the areas, in which the application is being made together with the prescribed fees.
Who Will Give Information?
Any public authority would designate Central Asst. Public Information Officer (CAPIO) at various levels, who will receive the requests for information from the public and necessary number of Central Public Information Officers (CPIO) in all administrative units/ office who will arrange for providing necessary information to the public as permitted under the law. The public authorities are also required to designate authority(ies) senior in rank to CPIO, as Appellate Authorities, who will entertain and dispose off appeals against the decision of the CPIO as required under the Act. Any person who does not receive the decision from CPIO whether by way of information or rejection within the time frame, may within Thirty days from the expiry of period prescribed for furnishing the information or Thirty days from the date of receipt of the decisions, prefer an appeal to the Appellate Authority.
The Main Structure / Role of Public Information Officers
- Central Asst. Public Information Officers (CAPIO)
The CAPIO will receive the application / request for information or the appeals under the Act and forward the same immediately to the CPIO or the Appellate Authority as the case may be.
- Central Public Information Officers (CPIO)
The CPIO is required to process the request for providing the information and dispose of the same ; either by providing the information or rejecting the request, within a period of Thirty days from the date of receipt of request .
- Appellate Authorities :
The Appellate Authority will entertain and dispose off appeals against the decision of the CPIO as required under the Act.
How to Locate a Public Information Officer in Ireda ?
The public can submit their written request / application for information to the CPIO designated as Central Public Information Officers by the IREDA, the address of which is available in the of IREDA’s web site.