As time passes, one expects more clarity. However, in case of some government officials, their responses seem to indicate otherwise.
Some responses to RTI applications surprised an applicant when he was asked to pay between Rs 25 and Rs 300 so that the public information officer (PIO) can go search for the records before calling the applicant to give the same.
The RTI application was filed by Sanjay Shirodkar, who is also a member of political party. Shirodkar through his two RTI applications with the Inspector General of Revenue sought information about certified copies of toll collection.
This is not the firs time that RTI applicants have been asked to pay amount over and above they are expected to pay as per RTI Act. Applicants had earlier protested goods and service tax being applied for giving RTI information.
Shirodkar's application to the Inspector General was transferred to various offices. When he got replies from two offices, the applicant was asked to pay Rs 5 per page of information and give court fee stamp of Rs 20 for each page of information. As per RTI Act, an applicant cannot be charged over Rs 2 per page. Also, inspection is free for first hour and thereafter Rs 5 for every subsequent hour. There is no fee that can be charged for looking for information.
"The reply by the PIO was very bizzare. They put revenue rules instead of applying RTI rules to provide for information. The RTI Act overrides all other existing rules for providing information. I do not know how they even thought of this. They neither know rules nor do they want to look it up. They are just harassing an RTI applicant with any reply they feel like giving. Asking for Rs 300 and Rs 20 for court fee stamp for each page was unbelievable. Some or the other way they try not to be transparent," said Shirodkar.
