UP to frame own RTI rules

Uttar Pradesh will frame its own Right to Information (RTI) rules to define, among other things, the procedure of seeking information under the act, prescribing a uniform fee and cost of the medium or print cost of the material to be disseminated.

Uttar Pradesh will frame its own Right to Information (RTI) rules to define, among other things, the procedure of seeking information under the act, prescribing a uniform fee and cost of the medium or print cost of the material to be disseminated.

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Section 27 of the RTI Act 2005 empowers states and other competent authorities (like high courts, legislatures) to frame their own RTI rules, dilating on the act’s provisions to do away with ambiguity and bring about uniformity in procedures.

While some states have framed their rules, Uttar Pradesh had not acted. But inconvenience faced by many government departments in tackling information seekers and different departments following different rules 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. “However, it may take five-six months for the entire exercise to complete.”

She said rules acted as ‘fill in the blanks’ in any act and were needed to clarify things for everyone.

The high court has already made its own RTI rules prescribing fees, procedures and formats. Unlike in government departments where people often ask many questions in the same application while seeking information, the high court has ruled that only one question can be asked in one application.