E-Paper
UP to frame its own RTI Rule as provided in the RTI Act
The State Government will frame its own Right to Information (RTI) rules to clearly define, among other things, the procedure of seeking information under the Act provisions, prescribing uniform fee and cost of the medium or print cost of the material to be disseminated.
The State Government will frame its own Right to Information (RTI) rules to clearly define, among other things, the procedure of seeking information under the Act provisions, prescribing uniform fee and cost of the medium or print cost of the material to be disseminated.
The section 27 of the RTI Act-2005 empower States and other competent authorities (like High Courts, Legislatures) to frame their own RTI rules dilating on the Act provisions to do away with any bedlam and ambiguity and also bring about uniformity in the procedure to be followed. While some other States have framed their rules, Uttar Pradesh has not acted yet. But now growing inconvenience being faced by many government departments in tackling information seekers and also the departments following different rules at times, has forced the Government to start work on making its own RTI rules.
"We have already set into motion the process of framing the much needed RTI rules," Secretary, Department of Administrative Reforms, Anita Singh told the Hindustan Times, adding, "However, it may take five-six months for the entire exercise to complete."
She said rules basically acted as 'fill in the blanks' in any Act and were needed to clarify things for everyone. "At present, there is no rules laying down the format and many related things, for one to seek information and give the reply. Efforts will be made to tackle all such issues by making rules with uniform application in all Government departments.
The High Court has already made its own RTI rules prescribing fee, procedure and format. Significantly, unlike in Government departments where people often ask many questions in the same application while seeking an information, the HC rule have laid it that only one question can be asked in one application.
However, as a senior Government official, pointed out, there were organizations and people in the country, who opposed the RTI provisions empowering States Governments and competent authorities to frame their own RTI rules. " The provisions which authorize State Governments and competent authorities to frame their own rules are creating confusion and seriously restricting implementation of the RTI Act. This power is being misused to suit their vested interests in the States, which have made rules. "This is why there has been demand for scrapping the provisions allowing States to frame rules so that RTI Act and Rules may be uniform and same for all Governments and public authorities throughout the country," said the official.
