Right to Information Wiki
How citizens use RTI to track Swadesh Darshan, PRASHAD, SASCI projects

How citizens use RTI to track Swadesh Darshan, PRASHAD, SASCI projects in their district. Sample letter, PIO targets, the records to demand. 2026.

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—rti-track-swadesh-darshan-prashad-sasci [2026/05/05 03:31] (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}}
 +
 +{{page>snippets:dpdp-banner}}
 +
 +**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}}