CIC Seminar On RTI Tomorrow

The Central Information Commission is organising a seminar on implementation of the Right to Information at New Delhi on 19.05.17. The Inaugural Address will be delivered by the Chief Information Commissioner Radha Krishna Mathur. Prof. M. Sridhar Acharyulu, Information Commissioner, will talk about the “Scope of Privacy of Public Servant”. Yashovardhan Azad, Information Commissioner,...

RTI Query Exposes PF Scam Worth Crores [Read Order]

The Public Information Officer of EPFO has told the CIC that the PF contribution of employers were getting credited in someone else’s account instead of their respective PF accounts.A PF scam running into crores of rupees has come to light through an RTI appeal. The EPFO got into alert mode with the RTI request and alerted investigating agencies,...

Initiate Steps To Introduce RTI Stamps For Payment Of RTI Fees: CIC To DoPT And Department Of Post [Read Order]

The Central Information Commission on Friday reiterated its recommendation for the issue of RTI-stamps or numbered RTI-coupons as mode for payment of RTI-fees.“Therefore, there needs to be an immediate remedial action in respect of the confusion thus created as a result of the procedural lacunae resulting in RTI applications getting stuck in such...

Disclose The Status Of MoP For Judges Appointment, Judicial Accountability BIll Etc : CIC To Law Ministry [Read Order]

The Central Information Commission on Wednesday expressed anguish over the lack of transparency and accountability in the process of appointment of Judges. It further directed the Ministry of Law and Justice to inform an RTI applicant  about the current status of the Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill, and other alternate measures proposed...

CIC Dismisses 1,282 Appeals In One Order [Read Order]

RTI applicants are expected to not transgress the spirit of the RTI Act and resort to clogging the functioning of the public authority by filing mundane RTI applications merely claiming that it is intrinsic to fighting corruption, the commission observed.Central Information Commissioner Divya Prakash Sinha has dismissed 1,282 appeals filed by...

Non-Traceability Of The File Cannot Be A Defence To Deny Information: CIC [Read Order]

The Central Information Commission, in the case of Balendra Kumar vs Ministry of Labour and Employment, held that when information is being sought by the applicant, non-traceability of the file cannot be used as an excuse to deny the information sought.The complainant had sought details regarding certain specified files; however, the same was...

Income Tax Return Details Can’t Be Disclosed Through RTI: CIC [Read Order]

The Central Information Commission (CIC) has upheld an order rejecting an RTI application seeking details of income tax returns of a person on the ground that the disclosure would cause unwarranted invasion to the privacy of the assessee.Information Commissioner Bimal Julka was considering an appeal against an order of first appellate authority...

Maharashtra CIC Directs Maintenance Of E-Register With RTI Application And Disposal Details [Read Order]

In an effort to bring about transparency and accountability, the Maharashtra State Chief Information Commissioner recently directed the Chief Secretary of the Government of Maharashtra to maintain an e-register with details of all RTI applications and their disposal. The order has been directed to be implemented by 15 June, 2017.Appreciating the...

CIC Directs Inquiry Into Leak Of IT Returns To Third Parties [Read Order]

The Central Information Commission on Monday directed the Income Tax Department to investigate into an incident of IT returns of an RTI applicant being released to third parties without his consent.“Keeping in view the facts of the case and the submissions made by both the parties and considering the gravity and seriousness of the issues raised by...

Is RTI Being Weakened By Rules?

The government has issued a circular on 31 March giving draft rules, which it is proposing for the RTI Act.  Most citizens and media have shown considerable concern at these and there has been a feeling that  the government is trying to emasculate the RTI Act. From my experience in the RTI journey, I have realized that most people and institutions...

New RTI Rules- No Change In Fee Structure Or Word Limit In RTI Queries ; Govt. Clarifies

Central Government on Wednesday clarified that the allegation that there is a move to dilute the provisions of RTI is unfounded.The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pension in a press release stated that a factually incorrect and misleading news report appeared in a section of the media that a new set of RTI Rules have been formulated...

CIC Rejects Plea Seeking Copies Of PM Modi’s Applications For Obtaining Passport [Read Order]

The Central Information Commission has upheld the CPIO’s refusal to provide to an RTI applicant copies of applications submitted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for obtaining his first passport and subsequent renewal or fresh applications for obtaining diplomatic passport.GM Chauhan, an RTI activist and member of the Congress in Gujarat, had sought...