guide:guidelines-for-first-appellate-authority
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guide:guidelines-for-first-appellate-authority [2015/07/16 07:37] – Shrawan | guide:guidelines-for-first-appellate-authority [2017/11/26 14:56] – [Time Limit for Disposal of Appeal] Shrawan | ||
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====== Guidelines for First Appellate Authority ====== | ====== Guidelines for First Appellate Authority ====== | ||
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- | It is the responsibility of the Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) of a public authority to supply correct and complete Information within the specified time to any person seeking information under the RTI Act, 2005. There are possibilities that a CPIO may not act as per provisions of the Act or an applicant may not otherwise be satisfied with the decision of the CPIO. The Act contains provision of two appeals to tide over such situations. The first appeal lies within the public authority by the concerned public authority. The first Appellate Authority happens to be an officer senior in rank to the CPOI. The second appeal lies with the Central Information Commission. The Central Information Commission (Appeal Procedure) The Guidelines contained in this document are meant for the First Appellate Authorities. | + | It is the responsibility of the Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) of a public authority to supply correct and complete Information within the specified time to any person seeking information under the RTI Act, 2005. There are possibilities that a CPIO may not act as per provisions of the Act or an applicant may not otherwise be satisfied with the decision of the CPIO. The Act contains provision of two appeals to tide over such situations. The first appeal lies within the public authority by the concerned public authority. The first Appellate Authority happens to be an officer senior in rank to the CPIO. The second appeal lies with the Central Information Commission. The Central Information Commission (Appeal Procedure) The Guidelines contained in this document are meant for the First Appellate Authorities. |
In order to perform his/her duties effectively, | In order to perform his/her duties effectively, | ||
===== What is Information ===== | ===== What is Information ===== | ||
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Information is nay material in any form. It includes records, documents, memos, e-mail, opinions, advices, press releases, circulars, orders, logbooks, contracts, reports, papers, samples, models, data material held in any electronic relating to any private body which can be accessed by the public authority under any law for the time being in force. | Information is nay material in any form. It includes records, documents, memos, e-mail, opinions, advices, press releases, circulars, orders, logbooks, contracts, reports, papers, samples, models, data material held in any electronic relating to any private body which can be accessed by the public authority under any law for the time being in force. | ||
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A citizen has a right to seek such information form a public authority with is held by the public authority or witch is held under its control. This right includes inspection of work, documents and records; taking notes, extracts or certified copies of document or records; and taking certified samples of material held by the public authority or held under the control of the public authority. | A citizen has a right to seek such information form a public authority with is held by the public authority or witch is held under its control. This right includes inspection of work, documents and records; taking notes, extracts or certified copies of document or records; and taking certified samples of material held by the public authority or held under the control of the public authority. | ||
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The act gives the citizen a right to information at per with the Members of Parliament and the Members of State Legislatures. According to the Act, the information which cannot be denied to the Parliament or a State Legislature, | The act gives the citizen a right to information at per with the Members of Parliament and the Members of State Legislatures. According to the Act, the information which cannot be denied to the Parliament or a State Legislature, | ||
A citizen has a right to obtain to an information in the form of diskettes, floppies, tapes, video cassettes or in any other electronic mode or through print-outs provided such information is already stored in a computer or in any other device from which the information may be transferred to diskettes etc. | A citizen has a right to obtain to an information in the form of diskettes, floppies, tapes, video cassettes or in any other electronic mode or through print-outs provided such information is already stored in a computer or in any other device from which the information may be transferred to diskettes etc. | ||
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The information to the applicant should ordinarily be provided in the form in which it is sought. However, if the supply of information sought in a particular from would disproportionately divert the resources of the public authority or any cause harm to the safety or preservation of the records, supply of information in that from may be denied. | The information to the applicant should ordinarily be provided in the form in which it is sought. However, if the supply of information sought in a particular from would disproportionately divert the resources of the public authority or any cause harm to the safety or preservation of the records, supply of information in that from may be denied. | ||
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The Act gives the right to information only to the citizens of India. It does not make provision for giving information to corporation, | The Act gives the right to information only to the citizens of India. It does not make provision for giving information to corporation, | ||
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Only such information is required to be supplied under the Act which already exists and is held by the public authority or held under the control of the public authority. It is beyond the scope of the Act to create information; | Only such information is required to be supplied under the Act which already exists and is held by the public authority or held under the control of the public authority. It is beyond the scope of the Act to create information; | ||
Information Exempted From Disclosure | Information Exempted From Disclosure | ||
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information the disclosure of which would cause a breach of privilege of Parliament or State Legislature; | information the disclosure of which would cause a breach of privilege of Parliament or State Legislature; | ||
Cabinet papers including records of deliberation of the Council of Ministers, Secretaries and other Officers subject to the conditions gives in proviso to clause (i) of sub-section (1) of Section 8 of the Act. | Cabinet papers including records of deliberation of the Council of Ministers, Secretaries and other Officers subject to the conditions gives in proviso to clause (i) of sub-section (1) of Section 8 of the Act. | ||
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Right to Information Vis-à-vis Other Acts | Right to Information Vis-à-vis Other Acts | ||
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An applicant, along with his application, | An applicant, along with his application, | ||
- | rupees two (Rs.2/-) for each page (in A-4 or A-3 size paper) created or copied; | + | - rupees two (Rs.2/-) for each page (in A-4 or A-3 size paper) created or copied; |
- | actual charge or cost price of a copy in Larger size paper; | + | |
- | actual cost or price for samples or models; | + | |
- | for inspection of records, no fee for the first hour; and a fee of rupee five (Rs. 5/-) for each subsequent hour (or fraction thereof); | + | |
- | for information provided in diskette or floppy rupees fifty (Rs50/-) per diskette of floppy; and | + | |
- | for information provided in printed from at the price fixed for such publication or rupees two par page of photocopy for extracts from the publication. | + | |
- | If the applicant belongs to ‘below poverty line (BPL)’ category, he/she is not required to pay any fee. However. He/she should submit a proof in support of his/her claim to belong to the below poverty line. The application not accompanied by the prescribed fee of Rs. 10/- or proof of the applicant’s belonging to below poverty line, as the case may be, shall not be a valid application under the Act and, therefore, dose not entitle the applicant to get information. | + | |
It may be noted that where the CPIO decides that the information shall be provided on payment of fee in addition to the application fee, CPIO is inform the applicant: | It may be noted that where the CPIO decides that the information shall be provided on payment of fee in addition to the application fee, CPIO is inform the applicant: | ||
- | the details of further fees required to be paid: | + | - the details of further fees required to be paid: |
- | the calculations made to arrive at the amount of fee asked for; | + | |
- | Contents and Format of Application | + | |
An applicant making request for information is not required to give any reason for requesting the information or any other personal details except those that may be necessary for contacting him. Also, the Act or the Rules do not prescribe any format of application for seeking information. Therefore, the applicant should not be asked to give justification for give details application in any particular form. | An applicant making request for information is not required to give any reason for requesting the information or any other personal details except those that may be necessary for contacting him. Also, the Act or the Rules do not prescribe any format of application for seeking information. Therefore, the applicant should not be asked to give justification for give details application in any particular form. | ||
===== Transfer of Application ===== | ===== Transfer of Application ===== | ||
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If the subject matter of the application concerns any other public authority, it should be transferred to that public authority. If only a part of the application concerns the other public authority, a copy of the application may be sent to that public authority, clearly specifying the part which relates to that public authority. While transferring the application or sending a copy thereof, the concerned public authority should be information that the application fee has been received. The applicant should also be informed about the transfer of his application and the particulars of the public authority to whom the application or a copy thereof has been sent. | If the subject matter of the application concerns any other public authority, it should be transferred to that public authority. If only a part of the application concerns the other public authority, a copy of the application may be sent to that public authority, clearly specifying the part which relates to that public authority. While transferring the application or sending a copy thereof, the concerned public authority should be information that the application fee has been received. The applicant should also be informed about the transfer of his application and the particulars of the public authority to whom the application or a copy thereof has been sent. | ||
Transfer of application or part thereof, as the case may be, should be made as soon as possible and in any case within five days from the date of receipt of the application. If a CPIO transfers an application after five days from the receipt of the application, | Transfer of application or part thereof, as the case may be, should be made as soon as possible and in any case within five days from the date of receipt of the application. If a CPIO transfers an application after five days from the receipt of the application, | ||
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The CPIO of the public authority to whom the application is transferred, | The CPIO of the public authority to whom the application is transferred, | ||
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A public authority may designate as many CPIOs for it, as it may deem necessary. It is possible that in a public authority with more than one CPIO, an application is received by the CPIO other than the concerned CPIO. In such a case, the CPIO received by the application should transfer it to the concerned CPIO immediately, | A public authority may designate as many CPIOs for it, as it may deem necessary. It is possible that in a public authority with more than one CPIO, an application is received by the CPIO other than the concerned CPIO. In such a case, the CPIO received by the application should transfer it to the concerned CPIO immediately, | ||
- | Supply of Information | + | |
+ | ===== Supply of Information | ||
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The answering CPIO should check the information sought or a part thereof is exempt from disclosure under section 8 or Section 9 of the Act. Request in respect of the part of the application which is so exempt may be rejected and rest of the information should be provided immediately or after receipt of additional fees, as the case may be. | The answering CPIO should check the information sought or a part thereof is exempt from disclosure under section 8 or Section 9 of the Act. Request in respect of the part of the application which is so exempt may be rejected and rest of the information should be provided immediately or after receipt of additional fees, as the case may be. | ||
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The CPIO should supply the information within thirty days of the receipt of the request. Where the information sought for concerns the life or liberty of a person, the same should be provided within forty-eight hours of the receipt of the request. | The CPIO should supply the information within thirty days of the receipt of the request. Where the information sought for concerns the life or liberty of a person, the same should be provided within forty-eight hours of the receipt of the request. | ||
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Every public authority is required to designate an officer at each sub-divisional level or other sub-district level as a Central Assistant Public Information Officer (CAPIO) to received the application or appeals under the Act for forwarding the same the Central Public Information Officer or the fires Appellate Authority or the Central Information Commission, as the case may be. If request for information is received through the CAPIO, the information may be provided within 35 days of receipt of application by the CAPIO in normal course and 48 hours plus 5 days in case the information sought concerns the life or liberty of a person. | Every public authority is required to designate an officer at each sub-divisional level or other sub-district level as a Central Assistant Public Information Officer (CAPIO) to received the application or appeals under the Act for forwarding the same the Central Public Information Officer or the fires Appellate Authority or the Central Information Commission, as the case may be. If request for information is received through the CAPIO, the information may be provided within 35 days of receipt of application by the CAPIO in normal course and 48 hours plus 5 days in case the information sought concerns the life or liberty of a person. | ||
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In case of application transferred from one public authority to another public authority reply should be provided by the concerned public authority within 30 days of the receipt of the application by that public authority in normal course and within 48 hours in case the information sought concerns the life or liberty of a person. | In case of application transferred from one public authority to another public authority reply should be provided by the concerned public authority within 30 days of the receipt of the application by that public authority in normal course and within 48 hours in case the information sought concerns the life or liberty of a person. | ||
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The Central Public Information Officers of the intelligence and security organizations specified in the Second Schedule of the Act may receive applications seeking information pertaining to allegations of corruption and human right violations. Information in respect of allegation of violation of human right, which is provided only after the approval of the Central Information Commission, should be provided within forty-five days from the data of the receipt of request. Time limit prescribed for supplying information in regard to allegation of corruption is the same as in other cases. | The Central Public Information Officers of the intelligence and security organizations specified in the Second Schedule of the Act may receive applications seeking information pertaining to allegations of corruption and human right violations. Information in respect of allegation of violation of human right, which is provided only after the approval of the Central Information Commission, should be provided within forty-five days from the data of the receipt of request. Time limit prescribed for supplying information in regard to allegation of corruption is the same as in other cases. | ||
- | Where the application is asked to pay additional fee, the period intervening between the dispatch of the intimation about payment of fee and the payment of fee by the applicant shall be excluded for the purpose of calculation the period of reply. The following table shows the maximum time which may be taken to dispose off the application in different situation: | + | |
- | Situation Time limit for disposing off applications | + | Where the application is asked to pay additional fee, the period intervening between the dispatch of the intimation about payment of fee and the payment of fee by the applicant shall be excluded for the purpose of calculation the period of reply. The [[guide: |
- | Supply of information in normal course 30 days | + | |
- | Supply of information if it concerns the life or liberty of a person 48 hours | + | |
- | Supply of information if the application is received through CAPIO. 05 DAYS SHALL BE ADDED TO THE TIME PERIOD INDICATED AT Sr. No. 1 and 2. | + | |
- | Supply of information if application/ | + | |
- | In normal course | + | |
- | In case the information concerns the life or liberty of a person. | + | |
- | Within 30 days of the receipt of the concerned public authority. | + | |
- | Within 48 hours of receipt of the application by the concerned public authority. | + | |
- | Supply of information by organizations specified in the Second Schedule: | + | |
- | If information relates to allegations of violation of human right. | + | |
- | In case information relates to allegations of corruption. | + | |
- | 45 days from the receipt of application. | + | |
- | Within 30 days of the receipt of application. | + | |
- | Supply of information if it relates to third party and the third party has treated it as confidential. Should be provided after following the procedure given in para 32 to 36 of these guidelines. | + | |
- | Supply of information where the applicant is asked to pay additional fee. The period intervening between information the applicant about additional fee and the payment of fee by the applicant foe calculating the period of reply. | + | |
- | If the CPIO fails to give decision on the request for information within the prescribed period, the Central Public Information Officer shall be deemed to have refused the request. It is pertinent to note that that if a public authority fails to comply with the specified time limit, the information to the concerned applicant would have to be provided free of charge. | + | |
===== First Appeal ===== | ===== First Appeal ===== | ||
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- | Deciding appeals under the RTI Act is a quasi-judicial function. It is, therefore, necessary that the appellate authority should see to it that the justice is not only done but it should also appear to have been done. In order to do so, the order passed by the appellate authority should be a speaking order giving justification for the decision arrived at. | + | Deciding appeals under the RTI Act is a quasi-judicial function. It is, therefore, necessary that the appellate authority should see to it that the justice is not only done but it should also appear to have been done. In order to do so, the order passed by the appellate authority should be a speaking order giving justification for the decision arrived at(({{: |
===== Time Limit for Disposal of Appeal ===== | ===== Time Limit for Disposal of Appeal ===== | ||
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The appeal should be disposed off within 30 days of receipt of the appeal. In exception cases, the Appellate Authority may take 45 days for its disposal. However, in cases where disposal of appeal takes more then 30 days, the Appellate Authority should record in writing the reasons for such delay. | The appeal should be disposed off within 30 days of receipt of the appeal. In exception cases, the Appellate Authority may take 45 days for its disposal. However, in cases where disposal of appeal takes more then 30 days, the Appellate Authority should record in writing the reasons for such delay. | ||
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If an appellate authority comes to a conclusion that the appellant should be supplied information in addition to what has been supplied to him by the CPIO, he may either (i) pass an order directing the CPIO to give such information to the appellant; or (ii) he himself may give information to the appellant while disposing off the appeal. In the first case the appellate authority should ensure that the information ordered by him to be supplied is supplied to the appellant immediately. It would, however, be better if the appellant authority chooses the second course of action and he himself furnishes the information along with the order passed by him in the matter. | If an appellate authority comes to a conclusion that the appellant should be supplied information in addition to what has been supplied to him by the CPIO, he may either (i) pass an order directing the CPIO to give such information to the appellant; or (ii) he himself may give information to the appellant while disposing off the appeal. In the first case the appellate authority should ensure that the information ordered by him to be supplied is supplied to the appellant immediately. It would, however, be better if the appellant authority chooses the second course of action and he himself furnishes the information along with the order passed by him in the matter. | ||
- | If, in any case, the CPIO does not implement the order passed by the appellant authority and the appellate authority feels that intervention of higher authority is required to get his order implemented, | + | If, in any case, the CPIO does not implement the order passed by the appellant authority and the appellate authority feels that intervention of higher authority is required to get his order implemented, |
guide/guidelines-for-first-appellate-authority.txt · Last modified: 2023/04/15 11:38 by Shrawan