A Complete guide for filing an RTI Online & Offline

The Right to Information Act is one of the fundamental rights that an Indian citizen is entitled to. RTI can be exercised by  adult Indian citizens to know what is happening with the government. Under the Right to Information Act, 2005, RTI can be exercised by every citizen has the freedom to seek any government related information. This Act, as one of the monumental legislation enacted by the Parliament, guarantees the right and freedom of every Indian citizen to get information regarding governmental dealings, both of the Center and the States. RTI can be exercised by the citizens to question public authorities and their activities through the RTI Act ensures and promotes transparency and accountability as well. This is a big step towards warding off corruption in India.

Under the concept of RTI, we come across two major terms – information and public authority. The term ‘information’ denotes any material in any form, including documents, records, memos, e-mails, press releases, circulars, contracts, orders, reports, models and data held in any electronic form.

‘Public authority’ refers to any authority or institution or body of self-government established or constituted by or under the Constitution or by any other law made by the Parliament or a State Legislative; or by notification issued or order made by the Central or State Governments.

RTI can be exercised by  filling application in the following ways under the RTI Act, 2005, an RTI application is required to be filed, that can be done in the following ways-

A. Online RTI application

• Go to the RTI website having URL address www.rtionline.gov.in
• On clicking on submit request option, the ‘Guidelines for use of RTI online portal’ server will be displayed which contains all the guidelines to be followed for using the RTI portal.
• The checkbox ‘I have read and understood the above guidelines’ has to be clicked on and then click ‘submit’ option.
• Then the RTI request form screen will be displayed. The Ministry or Department against whom the RTI is to be filed is selected from the select Ministry/Department/Apex body dropdown.
• In case the citizen belongs to BPL category, he or she has to make a choice, likewise, by clicking on the ‘Yes’ in the 'below poverty line’ field. In this regard, the applicant has to upload a BPL card certificate as a document of proof. People belonging to the BPL category have the fees of filing the RTI waived off as per RTI Rules, 2012.
• After submitting the application, a unique registration number will be issued that may be referred in future for any reference by the applicant.
• In case of a non-BPL citizen, he has to select 'No' option in the required field and move on to make a payment of Rs. 10 as per RTI Rules ,2012.
• ‘Text for RTI Request Application” has to be filled up with not more than 3000 characters. If there are more than 3000 characters, the application can be uploaded in the ‘Supporting Document’ field.
• Having filled all the details in the form, the ‘Make Payment’ option is to be clicked. The payment mode can be selected from Internet Banking, ATM-cum-Debit Card or Credit Card. After clicking on the ‘Pay’ button, the applicant will be directed to the SBI payment gateway for successful payment. Post payment, the applicant will be redirected back to the portal.
• Applicant will receive an e-mail and SMS alert on successful submission of application.
  
  This application will electronically reach to the nodal officer of the Ministry or Department concerned, who will then transmit the RTI application to the concerned Public Information Officer (PIO) again electronically.

B. Offline filing of RTI Application (either by post or submission by hand):
RTI can be exercised by a citizen who doesn’t have access to a computer or internet and wishes to file a RTI application physically, he or she can do it in a simple way.

• The first step is to draft the RTI application. There is no prescribed format to draft an application thus it can be written on a plain sheet of paper simply expressing the desire for obtaining any information. The application can be handwritten or typed in Hindi, English or in any official language.
• The application is to be addressed to the Center or State Public Information Officer (PIO) or the Assistant PIO. The subject line of such application should be ‘Seeking Information under RTI Act, 2005’. The name and full address of the office from which information is being sought is also necessary to mention in the application.
• Though the reason for filing RTI is not necessary to state in the, the questions (if any) or request for information must be stated in details.
• The citizen has to give in full details of himself like name, address and contact details in the application that’s duly signed by the applicant himself.
• Payment of Rs. 10 as a fee is to be made either in cash, money order, bank draft or court fee stamp. Applicants below the poverty line need not make any payment though they have to produce a BPL certificate instead.
• After keeping a photocopy of the application, the latter has to be sent to the concerned department either personally or by post. The next step is to wait for the reply of the concerned authorities.

If the particular PIO refuses to accept the RTI application, a formal complaint can be made to the respective information commission under Section-18. A penalty of Rs.25,000 can be imposed on the authority or officer who refused to do so.
Normally any department is expected to reply or provide information within 30 days from the date of posting the application. In case there hasn’t been a response from the officer’s side, the information is deemed to be refused by the PIO/APIO. Then the first appeal has to be filed within the 30 days to the officer senior in rank to the PIO. A second appeal can be made to the Chief Information Commissioner within 90 days, the decision of whose is final and binding.