RTI Corner

The Government should immediately overhaul the complete system. I would suggest to make it a multidisciplinary agency where officers of all departments get posted.
AB
Political Parties stooping so low !
Yes it is very unfortunate that Political Parties are stooping so low in their speeches. Ruling parties are resorting to/encouraging Goondaism to attack those who donot tow their line of thinking. One can only wish that saner voices in Parties realise this and take corrective action to save Democracy in the country.
S Gopal
No enquiry at level of inspectors
Investigation shall be done only by officers not below the rank of SAG. No enquiry at the level of inspectors. Policemen should be kept out of CBI as they are not subject experts and not trained for investigations. Investigation is a serious business. Often conflict of interest makes the investigation.
Rajesh

Through his RTI application, the applicant sought information regarding whether the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) had received his registered letter in respect of his ANC-01 Study Material, reasons for delay in receiving of his study material, total number of temporary and permanent employees in their office etc. Before the CIC, the applicant stated that the requisite information was received by him after a prolonged delay. The CIC noted that the Applicant had received the information sought by him after a substantial period of delay which was against the spirit of the RTI Act, 2005. Therefore, the CIC cautioned the PIO to exercise due care in future to ensure that correct and complete information is furnished timely to the RTI applicant(s) as per provisions of the Act failing which penal proceedings under Section 20 shall be initiated.
Comments
The case depicts the myriad ways in which the citizens are using the RTI Act to improve the delivery of services to them. The PIO was fortunate to get away with a reprimand and not a penalty of Rs. 250/- for each day of delay in replying to the RTI application.
Citation: Mr. Virender Singh v. CPIO, Indira Gandhi National Open University in CIC/IGNOU /A/2017/171940-BJ, Date of Decision: 16.11.2018

The estranged wife’s lawyer had applied to seek information about husband’s salary. The purpose of seeking information was claimed to be bonafide as his client is fighting a legal battle against her husband claiming maintenance from him. The Bombay High Court dismissed the prayer of the wife’s lawyer for disclosure of husband’s salary slip using RTI route observing that the salary slips contain such details as deductions made from the salary, remittances made to the Bank by way of loan installments, remittances made to the Income Tax Authority towards part payment of the Income Tax for the concerned month and other details relating to contributions made to Provident Fund etc. Thus, the salary slips contain information of personal nature.
Comments
The lawyer had not asked for the gross income which he could have obtained as the same is liable to be provided under the RTI Act. Further, the application was not filed by the wife but by the advocate in his individual capacity.
Citation: Rajesh Ramchandra Kidile v. The Maharashtra State Information Commission and others in Bombay High Court Writ Petition No. 1766 of 2016
Dr. Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is the co-author of the books: RIGHT TO INFORMATION – LAW AND PRACTICE and PIO’s guide to RTI. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation of India at http://www.rtifoundationofindia.com/