In a decision that will have far-reaching consequences, prime minister Manmohan Singh has given a big relief to right to information (RTI) applicants.
He has directed that no fee be charged from an applicant on account of postal expenses or deployment of manpower for supplying information.
The department of personnel and training (DoPT) works under the PM. DoPT, which looks into RTI applications, has issued a directive saying a public information officer (PIO) cannot charge any extra fee for supplying information other than what has already been prescribed by law.
“It is hereby clarified that when a PIO takes a decision to provide information on payment of fee in addition to the application fee, he should determine the quantum of such fee in accordance with the fee prescribed under the fee and cost rules and give details of such fee to the applicant together with the calculation made to arrive at such a fee,” the department said in a late night order issued on May 24.
It said neither the Right to Information (Regulation of Fee & Cost) Rules, 2005 nor the RTI Act give powers to the PIO to charge any fee other than what has been prescribed in the fee and cost rules.
However, the order also clarified that wherever supply of information in a particular form would disproportionately divert the resources of the public authority or would be detrimental to the safety or preservation of the records, the PIO may refuse to supply the information in that form.
Speaking to DNA, noted RTI activist and Magsaysay-winner Arvind Kejriwal said: “This is a right decision in accordance with the Act and is very encouraging. It will clarify the position for all as different judgments were coming from across the contry.”
As per the central government rules, an RTI applicant has to submit Rs10 for an application, Rs2 per page for the information sought, and Rs50 per floppy or disk and actual cost for sample of models. In case an applicant goes for inspection of records, no fee is charged for the first hour, but Rs5 is charged every 15 minutes thereafter.
