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DoPT seeks suggestion on format of PIO reply

The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has issued a circular seeking views and suggestions of citizens on the format a public information officer (PIO) should follow while replying to an RTI application.

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The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has issued a circular seeking views and suggestions of citizens on the format a public information officer (PIO) should follow while replying to an RTI application.

They should be sent by e-mail only to usrti-dopt@nic.in before April 16. The suggestions are for the PIOs of the central government. The circular has also attached with it a list of essentials that can be part of the official response of the government. As of now, there is no set format. Though there are some general guidelines that exist in the RTI Act itself, they are not followed all the time by the PIOs.

These include information like name and designation of the officer, the department to which he belongs to among others. These also find a mention in the annexure provided along with the circular for the suggestions.

The circular states, while there can be no fixed format to any reply in to an application, PIOs in general should have a basic essentials reflected in them. "The idea is good as it will help one emphasize a rule that most PIOs do not follow. There should be some obligation on them to follow some rule and basic structure in replying," said Bhaskar Prabhu of the Mahiti Adhikar Manch.

He added, "We will be soon sending our list of suggestions. We are also asking for the mobile numbers of the officers should be put if it the public authority has provided with a phone or the sim card and its bill."

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