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—states:west-bengal [2026/07/10 22:46] (current) – created - external edit 127.0.0.1
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 +{{htmlmetatags>metatag-keywords=(west bengal rti, rti west bengal 2026, west bengal information commission, sic west bengal, rti rules west bengal, west bengal pio)
 +metatag-description=(Complete 2026 RTI guide for West Bengal — fees, payment modes, State Information Commission, online portal, sample RTIs, case law, helplines.)
 +metatag-title=(West Bengal RTI Guide 2026 — Rules, SIC, Templates)}}
 +====== West Bengal RTI Guide 2026 — RTI Wiki Citizen Guide 2026 ======
 +{{ :og/card-09.png?direct&1200 |West Bengal RTI — RTI Wiki}}
  
 +**The Right to Information Act, 2005 applies fully in West Bengal. State-specific rules under §27 govern fee, format, and First Appeal procedure. Capital: Kolkata. State Information Commission: [[https://wbic.nic.in|https://wbic.nic.in]]. RTI fee: ₹10. Online portal: Not yet — file by post.** This guide gives you the **operational rules + sample RTIs + key state authorities + escalation ladder** for West Bengal citizens.
 +
 +<WRAP center round info 95%>
 +**TL;DR — West Bengal RTI:**
 +  * **Fee:** ₹10 (BPL exempt under §7(5)).
 +  * **First Appeal fee:** ₹0.
 +  * **Reply deadline:** 30 days (48 hours for life/liberty).
 +  * **First Appeal:** 30 days from PIO order.
 +  * **Second Appeal:** 90 days from FAA order, to State Information Commission (West Bengal).
 +  * **Online filing:** Not yet — file by post.
 +\\ \\ **[[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/ai-rti-draft-app.html?prefill=I want to file an RTI in West Bengal regarding [SUBJECT]. Please draft a state-appropriate RTI letter to the relevant PIO.|🪄 Draft my West Bengal RTI with AI →]]**
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +**Reviewed on:** 23 April 2026.
 +
 +===== West Bengal — at a glance =====
 +
 +^ Item ^ Detail ^
 +| State capital | Kolkata |
 +| RTI application fee (state) | ₹10 |
 +| First Appeal fee | ₹0 |
 +| Reply deadline | 30 days (§7(1)) |
 +| Online portal | Not yet — file by post |
 +| State Information Commission | [[https://wbic.nic.in|website]] |
 +| Key authorities | West Bengal IC, Kolkata · KMC + KMDA |
 +
 +===== How to file an RTI in West Bengal =====
 +
 +  - **Online (where available):** Use the state portal Not yet — file by post.
 +  - **By post:** Address to the Public Information Officer of the concerned department. Send by Registered Post.
 +  - **Walk-in:** At the department's office during working hours. Get a dated receipt.
 +  - **Pay ₹10** via Indian Postal Order (IPO) in favour of "Accounts Officer, [Department]" — OR via the online portal payment gateway.
 +  - **BPL applicants:** No fee. Attach BPL/Antyodaya/AAY card.
 +
 +===== Key West Bengal authorities (most-used) =====
 +
 +West Bengal IC, Kolkata · KMC + KMDA
 +
 +For Central Government RTIs filed FROM West Bengal, use [[https://rtionline.gov.in|rtionline.gov.in]] which routes to the relevant central ministry.
 +
 +===== Sample RTI — to a West Bengal state department =====
 +
 +<code>
 +To:
 +The Public Information Officer,
 +[Department name],
 +Government of West Bengal,
 +[Department address, Kolkata].
 +
 +Subject: RTI under §6 of the RTI Act, 2005 — [your subject]
 +
 +Sir/Madam,
 +
 +Under the Right to Information Act, 2005, I, [Name], resident of
 +[address with PIN], request the following information:
 +
 +1. [Specific item 1.]
 +2. [Specific item 2.]
 +3. Copy of the noting sheet of the file from receipt till the date
 +   of this reply.
 +4. Name, designation, and contact of the dealing officer at present.
 +5. Service standard / SLA applicable to this matter and the reason
 +   for delay, if any.
 +
 +I am enclosing ₹10 via IPO in favour of "Accounts Officer,
 +[Department]". (BPL applicants: card copy enclosed; fee waived under §7(5).)
 +
 +Yours faithfully,
 +[Name]
 +[Address, mobile, email]
 +Date: [Today]
 +</code>
 +
 +===== Sample First Appeal — to the FAA =====
 +
 +<code>
 +To:
 +The First Appellate Authority,
 +[Senior officer designation, e.g., Joint Secretary],
 +[Department name], Government of West Bengal,
 +[Address, Kolkata].
 +
 +Subject: First Appeal under §19(1) of the RTI Act, 2005
 +
 +[See full template at https://righttoinformation.wiki/rti-first-appeal-second-appeal-guide]
 +</code>
 +
 +===== Sample Second Appeal — to West Bengal SIC =====
 +
 +<code>
 +To:
 +The Registrar,
 +West Bengal State Information Commission,
 +[Address from https://wbic.nic.in].
 +
 +Subject: Second Appeal under §19(3) of the RTI Act, 2005
 +
 +[See full template at https://righttoinformation.wiki/rti-first-appeal-second-appeal-guide]
 +</code>
 +
 +===== West Bengal-specific case law =====
 +
 +  * **Sudipta Chakraborty v. State of WB (Calcutta HC 2024) — SIC backlog** — currently controlling on this state's RTI practice.
 +  * General Supreme Court rulings apply: see [[:pio-supreme-court-rulings|10 Landmark SC RTI Rulings]].
 +  * Apply [[:pio-high-court-rulings|HC rulings]] of your jurisdiction.
 +
 +===== Common citizen RTIs in West Bengal (with our guides) =====
 +
 +  * **Passport delay** → [[:passport-delay-rti|Passport Delay RTI]]
 +  * **EPF / PF claim** → [[:epfo-claim-status-rti|EPFO Claim Status RTI]]
 +  * **Income Tax refund** → [[:income-tax-refund-delay-rti|IT Refund RTI]]
 +  * **PAN card delay** → [[:pan-card-delay-rti|PAN Card Delay RTI]]
 +  * **FIR copy** → [[:fir-copy-rti|How to Get an FIR Copy]]
 +  * **MGNREGA wage delay** → [[:mgnrega-wage-delay-rti|MGNREGA RTI]]
 +  * **PMAY status** → [[:pmay-status-rti|PMAY Status RTI]]
 +  * **Driving licence** → [[:driving-licence-delay-rti|Driving Licence RTI]]
 +  * **Ration card** → [[:ration-card-verification-rti|Ration Card RTI]]
 +  * **IRCTC refund** → [[:irctc-refund-delay-rti|IRCTC RTI]]
 +
 +===== Escalation ladder (West Bengal) =====
 +
 +  - **Day 0** — File RTI to PIO (online or registered post).
 +  - **Day 30** — PIO reply due under §7(1).
 +  - **Day 60** — First Appeal under §19(1) to FAA (within 30 days of PIO order).
 +  - **Day 60-105** — FAA decision due (30-45 days under §19(6)).
 +  - **Day 195** — Second Appeal under §19(3) to West Bengal SIC.
 +  - **Last resort** — Writ under Article 226 to the High Court of West Bengal.
 +
 +===== Helplines & grievance portals =====
 +
 +  * **CPGRAMS (Central):** [[https://pgportal.gov.in|pgportal.gov.in]]
 +  * **State portal:** Not yet — file by post
 +  * **State SIC:** [[https://wbic.nic.in|https://wbic.nic.in]]
 +  * **National RTI helpline:** Use the state's general grievance number.
 +
 +===== FAQ =====
 +
 +==== What is the RTI fee in West Bengal? ====
 +
 +**₹10** under the West Bengal RTI Rules. **BPL exempt** under §7(5). Pay via Indian Postal Order (IPO) for postal filings or via the online portal where available.
 +
 +==== Can I file RTI online in West Bengal? ====
 +
 +No — West Bengal does not yet have a unified RTI online portal. File by Registered Post to the concerned department's PIO. Some specific departments may have their own grievance portals.
 +
 +==== Who is the West Bengal State Information Commissioner? ====
 +
 +The West Bengal SIC composition is updated on its website [[https://wbic.nic.in|https://wbic.nic.in]]. Composition changes periodically — check the website for current Commissioners.
 +
 +==== What if my Second Appeal at West Bengal SIC takes too long? ====
 +
 +If the Second Appeal hearing is delayed beyond reasonable time, file a writ petition under Article 226 to the High Court of West Bengal. The HC has supervisory jurisdiction over the SIC.
 +
 +==== How do I pay the RTI fee in West Bengal? ====
 +
 +(a) **Indian Postal Order (IPO)** in favour of the Accounts Officer of the concerned department; (b) **Demand Draft** in some districts; (c) **Online** via the state portal where it accepts payment; (d) **Cash at counter** during walk-in filing (get receipt).
 +
 +===== Related reading =====
 +
 +  * [[:states-rti|All-states RTI comparison]]
 +  * [[:rti-first-appeal-second-appeal-guide|First Appeal & Second Appeal Complete Guide]]
 +  * [[:section-8-rti-exemptions|§8 Exemptions explained]]
 +  * [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/fee-calculator.html|Fee Calculator]]
 +  * [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/deadline-calculator.html|Deadline Calculator]]
 +  * [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/ai-rti-draft-app.html|AI RTI Drafter]]
 +
 +===== Sources =====
 +
 +  * Right to Information Act, 2005 — [[https://cic.gov.in|cic.gov.in]]
 +  * West Bengal RTI Rules (state notification)
 +  * West Bengal State Information Commission — [[https://wbic.nic.in|https://wbic.nic.in]]
 +  * Central Information Commission — [[https://cic.gov.in|cic.gov.in]]
 +
 +//Last reviewed: 23 April 2026 by the RTI Wiki editorial team.//
 +
 +{{tag>rti west-bengal state-rti state-information-commission how-to-guide 2026}}
 +===== RTI in West Bengal: Rules, fees, online portal, and common issues (2026) =====
 +
 +Filing RTI in West Bengal — complete guide on rules, fees, and the process for 2026:
 +
 +  - **Step 1: WB RTI Rules and fee structure.** (a) the West Bengal Right to Information Rules, 2006 (framed under the RTI Act, 2005) govern the RTI process in West Bengal, (b) the fee structure: (i) application fee: Rs 10 (payable by court-fee stamp, IPO, or cash — to the APIO/PIO), (ii) BPL category: free (BPL citizens — with BPL proof — can file RTI without any fee), (iii) additional fee: Rs 2 per page for photocopy, Rs 50 for CD, Rs 5 per hour for inspection (after the first free hour), (c) the application can be filed: (i) in person (at the office of the PIO/APIO — with the application — and the fee), (ii) by post (send the application — by registered post — with the fee — to the PIO/APIO), (iii) online (through the central RTI portal — rti.gov.in — for central government departments — and some state departments — but West Bengal does not have a dedicated state RTI online portal — as of 2026).
 +  - **Step 2: Key PIOs in West Bengal.** (a) the Chief Secretary (is the senior-most officer — but the PIOs are at the department level), (b) the key PIOs: (i) Home Department — the Home Secretary is the PIO (for police, law and order, prisons, and internal security), (ii) Health Department — the Health Secretary is the PIO (for hospitals, PHCs, medical colleges, and health schemes), (iii) Education Department — the Education Secretary is the PIO (for schools, colleges, universities, and scholarships), (iv) Finance Department — the Finance Secretary is the PIO (for budget, taxes, pensions, and audits), (v) Panchayat and Rural Development — the Panchayat Secretary is the PIO (for MGNREGA, panchayat works, and rural schemes), (vi) Urban Development — the Urban Development Secretary is the PIO (for municipalities, urban schemes, and civic amenities), (c) at the district level: the District Magistrate (DM) is the PIO — for district-level matters — and the BDO (Block Development Officer) is the PIO — for block-level matters — and the SDO (Sub-Divisional Officer) is the PIO — for sub-divisional matters.
 +  - **Step 3: How to file RTI in West Bengal.** (a) Step 1 — identify the PIO (determine which department — or district — holds the information — and find the PIO — from the department's website — or the state RTI manual), (b) Step 2 — write the application (in English or Bengali — with the applicant's name, address, and the information sought — and the fee), (c) Step 3 — submit the application (in person — at the PIO's office — or by post — by registered post — with the fee — court-fee stamp of Rs 10), (d) Step 4 — track the application (the PIO must respond within 30 days — or 48 hours — for life and liberty — and the applicant can file a first appeal — if the PIO does not respond — or refuses — or provides incomplete information), (e) Step 5 — first appeal (file with the First Appellate Authority — within 30 days — of the PIO's response — or non-response — the FAA must respond within 30 days), (f) Step 6 — second appeal (file with the West Bengal Information Commission — within 90 days — of the FAA's response — or non-response).
 +  - **Step 4: West Bengal Information Commission.** (a) the WBIC is the second appellate authority — for RTI matters in West Bengal, (b) the WBIC is located at: Writers' Buildings, Kolkata — and the Chief Information Commissioner — and the Information Commissioners — hear the second appeals, (c) the WBIC website (wbic.gov.in — provides the second appeal format — and the procedure — and the orders), (d) the WBIC has been criticized for delays (the pending cases — at the WBIC — are high — and the disposal rate is low — and the citizens wait for years — for the second appeal to be heard), (e) the WBIC has the power to impose penalties (on the PIO — for refusal — or delay — or incomplete information — under Section 20 of the RTI Act — up to Rs 25,000).
 +  - **Step 5: Common RTI issues in West Bengal.** (a) no online portal (West Bengal does not have a dedicated state RTI online portal — as of 2026 — which makes it difficult for citizens to file RTI online — and they have to file in person — or by post), (b) delays at the WBIC (the WBIC has a large backlog — and the second appeals take years — to be heard), (c) PIO transfers (the PIOs are frequently transferred — and the new PIO does not have the context — and the applications are delayed — or lost), (d) fee payment issues (the court-fee stamp is the primary mode of payment — and some PIOs do not accept IPOs — or cash — creating confusion), (e) language barrier (the application can be in English or Bengali — but some PIOs insist on Bengali — and some insist on English — creating confusion).
 +  - **Step 6: File RTI on key West Bengal issues.** (a) MGNREGA: file RTI with the BDO or the DM — asking for: (i) the job cards issued, (ii) the works sanctioned, (iii) the wages paid, (iv) the pending dues, (v) the social audit report, (b) health: file RTI with the Health Secretary or the hospital — asking for: (i) the bed availability, (ii) the medicine stock, (iii) the doctor attendance, (iv) the patient registers, (v) the complaint register, (c) education: file RTI with the Education Secretary or the school — asking for: (i) the midday meal records, (ii) the student enrollment, (iii) the teacher attendance, (iv) the scholarship disbursement, (v) the infrastructure status, (d) civic amenities: file RTI with the municipality — asking for: (i) the water supply, (ii) the garbage collection, (iii) the street lights, (iv) the drainage, (v) the building plans — and the OC.
 +  - **Step 7: Practical tips.** (a) file in Bengali or English (both are acceptable — but Bengali may be more effective — for local offices — like the BDO and the municipality), (b) use court-fee stamp (Rs 10 — which is the most widely accepted — in West Bengal), (c) file by registered post (to have proof of filing — and to track the delivery), (d) file the first appeal (if the PIO does not respond — within 30 days — or refuses — or provides incomplete information — file the first appeal — without delay), (e) file the second appeal (if the FAA does not respond — within 30 days — file the second appeal — with the WBIC — and follow up — regularly), (f) Example: A citizen in Kolkata filed RTI with the municipality — asking for the road repair works in his ward — the PIO did not respond — within 30 days — the citizen filed a first appeal — the FAA directed the PIO to respond — the PIO provided the details — which showed that Rs 20 lakh was spent on road repair — but the road was not repaired — the citizen filed a complaint with the anti-corruption bureau — and the matter is under investigation.
 +
 +See [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/states/west-bengal|West Bengal RTI]] and [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/rti-act-2005-complete-guide|RTI Act Complete Guide]].
 +
 +{{tag>west bengal rti rules fees pio wbic kolkata writers buildings court fee stamp first appeal second appeal bengali 2026}}