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—rti-track-swadesh-darshan-prashad-sasci [2026/06/03 17:01] (current) – created - external edit 127.0.0.1
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 +{{htmlmetatags>metatag-keywords=(RTI Swadesh Darshan,RTI PRASHAD project,RTI SASCI loan,citizen RTI tourism scheme,Section 4(1)(b)(xii) tourism,track central tourism scheme citizen)
 +metatag-description=(How citizens use RTI to track Swadesh Darshan, PRASHAD, SASCI projects in their district. Sample letter, PIO targets, the records to demand. 2026.)}}
  
 +====== How citizens use RTI to track Swadesh Darshan, PRASHAD, SASCI projects ======
 +
 +{{ :social:auto:rti-track-swadesh-darshan-prashad-sasci.png?direct&1200 |Citizen RTI tourism schemes — RTI Wiki guide}}
 +
 +
 +**Quick answer.** Every project sanctioned under **Swadesh Darshan 1.0**, **Swadesh Darshan 2.0**, **CBDD**, **PM-JUGA tribal homestays**, **PRASHAD**, or **SASCI Iconic Tourist Centres** is a **public-authority record** disclosable under **Section 4(1)(b)(xii)** of the **Right to Information Act, 2005** (proactive disclosure of "the manner of execution of subsidy programmes including the amounts allocated and the details of beneficiaries"). Citizens can file an RTI to the **Public Information Officer** of the **Ministry of Tourism** (central scheme records), the **Department of Expenditure** (SASCI loan records), or the **State Tourism Department / State Tourism Development Corporation** (state-side execution records) and demand: (a) the **sanction order with cost build-up**; (b) the **Detailed Project Report (DPR)**; (c) **quarterly progress reports**; (d) the **tender + awarded contractor**; (e) **completion certificates** by component; (f) the **O&M plan**; (g) **CAG audit observations** if any. The PIO must reply within **30 days under Section 7(1)**. Refusal under §8(1)(d) "commercial confidence" routinely fails on appeal — //RBI v. Jayantilal N. Mistry//, (2016) 5 SCC 136, and //Eastern Coalfields Ltd. v. WBIC// (Calcutta HC 2015) establish that procurement / scheme records are not trade secrets. Total cost: **Rs 10** application fee, zero for BPL applicants under §7(5). This guide gives the right PIO targets per scheme, the sample RTI letter, and the next-step ladder if the PIO doesn't reply.
 +
 +===== The right PIO per scheme =====
 +
 +^ Scheme ^ Primary PIO ^ Secondary PIO ^
 +| **Swadesh Darshan 1.0 (closed)** | PIO, Ministry of Tourism (records archive) | PIO, State Tourism Development Corporation (execution records) |
 +| **Swadesh Darshan 2.0** | PIO, Ministry of Tourism (sanction + CSMC) | PIO, State Tourism Department (SPP + execution) |
 +| **CBDD** | PIO, Ministry of Tourism (challenge round + sanction) | PIO, State Tourism Development Corporation (execution) |
 +| **PM-JUGA tribal homestays** | PIO, Ministry of Tourism (sanction) | PIO, State Tribal Welfare Department + State Tourism Department (cluster delivery) |
 +| **PRASHAD** | PIO, Ministry of Tourism (CSMC sanction) | PIO, State Tourism Department + Local body / temple board (execution + maintenance) |
 +| **SASCI Iconic Tourist Centres** | PIO, Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance (loan terms) | PIO, Ministry of Tourism (coordination) + State Tourism Department (execution) |
 +
 +===== Records you can demand =====
 +
 +  * **Sanction order** — date, sanction reference, cost build-up, scheme component, scheme guidelines applied
 +  * **DPR** — the Detailed Project Report as approved by the CSMC / DoE
 +  * **Tender + technical evaluation minutes** — contractor selection trail
 +  * **Awarded contractor + contract value** — work order date, scope, milestones
 +  * **Quarterly / annual progress reports** filed with the Ministry / DoE
 +  * **Disbursement schedule** — milestone-linked tranches, dates of release, amounts disbursed
 +  * **Completion certificates** — by component
 +  * **O&M plan** — post-completion arrangement, named maintainer, period
 +  * **CAG audit observations** — if any, with management replies
 +  * **Concurrent monitoring reports** — internal-audit / quality-supervision records
 +  * **For SASCI** — loan-disbursement schedule + repayment terms; State's Memorandum of Understanding with DoE
 +
 +===== Sample RTI letter =====
 +
 +<code>
 +To,
 +The Public Information Officer,
 +[Ministry of Tourism / Department of Expenditure / State Tourism Department],
 +[Office address],
 +[PIN]
 +
 +Subject: Application under Section 6(1) of the Right to Information
 +         Act, 2005 — [Scheme name] sanctioned project at [destination
 +         / district / state]
 +
 +Date: [DD MMMM YYYY]
 +
 +Respected Sir / Madam,
 +
 +1. I, [Your full name], a citizen of India, am filing this application
 +under Section 6(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005 in respect
 +of the [Scheme name — e.g., PRASHAD / Swadesh Darshan 2.0 / CBDD /
 +SASCI] sanctioned project at [destination / district / state].
 +
 +2. Project reference (if known): [sanction order number / DPR
 +reference / project name].
 +
 +3. I respectfully request the following information:
 +
 +   (a) Certified copy of the sanction order with cost build-up
 +       and scheme component;
 +   (b) Certified copy of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) as
 +       approved by the CSMC / Department of Expenditure;
 +   (c) Quarterly progress reports filed to the Ministry / DoE
 +       since sanction;
 +   (d) Disbursement schedule — milestone-linked tranches, dates
 +       of release, amounts disbursed;
 +   (e) Tender documents + technical-evaluation minutes;
 +   (f) Awarded contractor name + contract value + work order date;
 +   (g) Component-wise completion certificates issued to date;
 +   (h) Operation & Maintenance (O&M) plan post-completion;
 +   (i) Any CAG audit observations + management replies;
 +   (j) Concurrent monitoring / internal audit reports;
 +   (k) Names + designations of officials in the
 +       sanctioning + execution chain;
 +   (l) [For SASCI] loan terms + repayment schedule + Memorandum
 +       of Understanding between Centre and State.
 +
 +4. Fee: Rs 10 application fee enclosed by way of Indian Postal
 +Order. [If BPL: §7(5) exemption claimed; BPL certificate copy
 +enclosed.]
 +
 +5. Severability: In the event any part is exempt under Section 8 of
 +the RTI Act, the remainder is requested under Section 10(1) and
 +10(2) with a reasoned severance order.
 +
 +6. Transfer: Where any part lies outside your office, please
 +transfer under Section 6(3) within 5 days with intimation.
 +
 +7. Section 8 risks pre-empted:
 +   - Section 8(1)(d) "commercial confidence" does NOT apply to
 +     scheme procurement records — //Eastern Coalfields v. WBIC//
 +     (Calcutta HC 2015) + //RBI v. Jayantilal N. Mistry//,
 +     (2016) 5 SCC 136.
 +   - Section 8(1)(j) does NOT apply to records that are
 +     beneficiary-list records mandatorily disclosable under
 +     Section 4(1)(b)(xii).
 +
 +8. Please supply within 30 days under Section 7(1). In the event
 +of silence, the non-response shall be treated as a deemed refusal
 +under Section 7(2) and a First Appeal under Section 19(1) shall
 +follow.
 +
 +Yours faithfully,
 +
 +([Your name])
 +
 +[Address + phone + email]
 +</code>
 +
 +→ Or use the [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/ai-rti-draft-app.html|🪄 AI RTI Drafter]] — paste your problem in plain English; get a complete §6(1) letter in 60 seconds.
 +
 +===== Day 30 onwards — the appeal ladder =====
 +
 +  * **Day 30**: PIO must reply with records or refusal citing specific §8(1) clause + harm test.
 +  * **Day 31**: If no reply → **deemed refusal** under §7(2). File **First Appeal under §19(1)** to the FAA. See [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/guide/applicant/first-appeal/faa|First Appeal procedure & format]].
 +  * **Day 31–60**: FAA decides within 30 days (extendable to 45). FAA can order **free-of-cost supply** under §7(6).
 +  * **Day 91+**: **Second Appeal under §19(3)** to **Central Information Commission** (central authorities) or **State Information Commission** (state authorities) within 90 days. Plead **§20 penalty** up to [financial detail removed] on the PIO if the refusal was malafide.
 +
 +→ [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/timeline-calculator-app.html|Timeline Calculator]] for tracking. [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/first-appeal-app.html|First Appeal Builder]] for the §19(1) appeal.
 +
 +===== When the PIO refuses on §8(1)(d) commercial confidence =====
 +
 +This is the most common refusal pattern for tourism-scheme RTIs. The standard counter-citations:
 +
 +  - **Eastern Coalfields Ltd. v. WBIC**, Calcutta HC 2015 — concession agreements + procurement records are not §8(1)(d) trade secrets without demonstrable competitive harm.
 +  - **Reserve Bank of India v. Jayantilal N. Mistry**, (2016) 5 SCC 136 — public-interest override on commercial-confidence claims; regulator-administered scheme records do not enjoy §8(1)(d) protection.
 +  - **CBSE v. Aditya Bandopadhyay**, (2011) 8 SCC 497 — fiduciary clause narrow reading; programme-administration records are not fiduciary.
 +  - **Section 8(2)** RTI Act — public-interest override. Public investment in a tourism destination + public visitor benefit + public infrastructure on the ground = public interest in disclosure outweighs §8(1)(d) competitive-harm even where established.
 +
 +Use these in your **First Appeal** under §19(1).
 +
 +===== Frequently asked questions =====
 +
 +==== Is the DPR a public document? ====
 +**Yes.** DPRs of central-scheme projects are §6(1) RTI Act + §4(1)(b)(xii) records. Routine refusal under §8(1)(d) is an appealable defect.
 +
 +==== Who can file an RTI on these schemes? ====
 +**Any Indian citizen.** §6(2) RTI Act bars the PIO from asking for reasons (with limited contact-information exception).
 +
 +==== What's the fee? ====
 +**Rs 10** for central authorities (Ministry of Tourism, Department of Expenditure). State RTI rules govern state authorities — usually Rs 10–50. **BPL applicants pay zero** under §7(5).
 +
 +==== Can I file an RTI for an SD 1.0 project that closed years ago? ====
 +**Yes.** Records are typically retained 5–10+ years under government records-retention norms.
 +
 +==== Can I file an RTI on the State's full SPP (the Top-10 destinations list)? ====
 +**Yes.** SPPs submitted by States to the Ministry are public records. §6(1) RTI to the State Tourism Department + Ministry of Tourism PIO surfaces both ends.
 +
 +==== What if the project is sanctioned but visibly stalled on the ground? ====
 +File an RTI surfacing the **last quarterly progress report** + **CSMC / DoE observations** + **revised timeline**. Most projects move once a written record of citizen-awareness exists.
 +
 +==== Can my MP or MLA help? ====
 +Yes — engage them in parallel with the RTI. The RTI gives you documents; the elected representative gives you the political channel.
 +
 +==== If the project quality is poor after completion, what's the route? ====
 +File an RTI surfacing the **completion certificate** + **O&M plan** + **defect-liability period** of the contractor. Grievance to State Tourism Department in parallel.
 +
 +===== Citizen-action checklist =====
 +
 +  - **[ ]** Identify the scheme (SD 1.0 / SD 2.0 / CBDD / PM-JUGA / PRASHAD / SASCI)
 +  - **[ ]** Identify the right PIO (Ministry / DoE / State Tourism)
 +  - **[ ]** Customise sample RTI with project name + district + sanction reference (if known)
 +  - **[ ]** Rs 10 IPO purchased OR BPL certificate copy
 +  - **[ ]** Speed Post (AD) tracking number saved
 +  - **[ ]** Calendar reminder set for Day 30 + Day 45 + Day 90
 +  - **[ ]** First Appeal letter pre-drafted as Day 31 fallback ([[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/first-appeal-app.html|First Appeal Builder]])
 +  - **[ ]** Second Appeal forum identified (CIC for central, SIC for state)
 +
 +===== Related on RTI Wiki =====
 +
 +  * [[:homestay-india-2026|Homestay India 2026 — legal + business pillar guide]]
 +  * [[:udan-scheme-india-2026|UDAN regional connectivity scheme — affordable air travel for tier-2/3 cities]]
 +  * [[:swadesh-darshan-india-2026|Swadesh Darshan India 2026 — pillar guide]]
 +  * [[:swadesh-darshan-1-0-circuits|Swadesh Darshan 1.0]]
 +  * [[:swadesh-darshan-2-0-sustainable|Swadesh Darshan 2.0 sustainable destinations]]
 +  * [[:cbdd-india-tourism-2026|CBDD]]
 +  * [[:pm-juga-tribal-homestays-india|PM-JUGA tribal homestays]]
 +  * [[:prashad-pilgrimage-india|PRASHAD pilgrimage scheme]]
 +  * [[:sasci-iconic-tourist-centres-india|SASCI iconic tourist centres]]
 +  * [[:eco-tourism-western-ghats-india-2026|Eco-tourism in the Western Ghats]]
 +  * [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/guide/applicant/first-appeal/faa|First Appeal under §19(1) — full procedure]]
 +  * [[:explanations/grounds-for-rejection|RTI grounds for rejection]]
 +  * [[:explanations/third-party|Third-party information — Section 11]]
 +  * [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/ai-rti-draft-app.html|AI RTI Drafter]]
 +  * [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/first-appeal-app.html|First Appeal Builder]]
 +  * [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/timeline-calculator-app.html|Timeline Calculator]]
 +
 +===== Sources =====
 +
 +  * The Right to Information Act, 2005 — §§4(1)(b)(xii), 4(1)(d), 6(1), 6(3), 7(1), 7(2), 7(5), 7(6), 8(1), 8(2), 10, 19(1), 19(3), 20
 +  * Ministry of Tourism — Swadesh Darshan / SD 2.0 / CBDD / PRASHAD / PM-JUGA operational guidelines
 +  * Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance — SASCI guidelines
 +  * //Bhagat Singh v. Chief Information Commissioner//, Delhi HC W.P.(C) 3114/2007
 +  * //Eastern Coalfields Ltd. v. WBIC//, Calcutta HC 2015
 +  * //RBI v. Jayantilal N. Mistry//, (2016) 5 SCC 136
 +  * //CBSE v. Aditya Bandopadhyay//, (2011) 8 SCC 497
 +
 +{REVIEWED}
 +
 +//Last reviewed: 4 May 2026 — RTI Wiki editorial team.//
 +
 +{{tag>rti tourism scheme tracking swadesh-darshan prashad sasci cbdd pm-juga citizen-rti india 2026}}