To know, is your right...

The Right to Information Act (RTI) has certainly empowered citizens to acquire information pertaining to the State's affairs. But how many of us really know how to file an RTI? Or information that is exempted under the Act? Or how to frame the questions? This is precisely why dna downtown explains everything in detail, exclusively for its readers.

The Right to Information Act aims to get information about the state authorities, or what we commonly call the State, which includes public bodies such as the municipal corporation, courts, administrative bodies and more.

It's all about asking the correct question—an accurately framed question is all that matters. Here are a few pointers for framing questions correctly:
- Ensure that your questions aren't vague.
- Your question should be so accurate that it cannot be interpreted differently.
- Make sure that your frustration with the system doesn't reflect in your questions.
- Make your questions as brief as possible.
- If you are anticipating that the query could be answered in multiple ways, ensure that you ask multiple questions.
- Ask specific questions. For example, don't ask questions like "When will the railways ensure that a women's safety officer is appointed?" Instead, the question should be framed with references like "In the last railway budget, 56 RPF officers were to be posted in the Western Railway. Were 56 officers deployed for the same?"

What is not allowed?
RTIs cannot be filed for groups or associations, individuals, individual groups, military secrets, armed forces, private companies and corporates. However, most of the matters that concern the citizens and administrative affairs are included under the Act.
Making personal queries about anyone is not allowed under the Act. For example, we cannot ask about the PM's personal life, even if he handles the public portfolio. If the question is not pertaining to his public work, an RTI cannot be filed for the same.

The information officer is bound to send a reply within a fixed frame of time. In cases that are likely to take more time, especially in cases where documentation needs to be provided, it might take more time than the usual. Even in such cases, the officer is bound to send a reply stating the reason for the delay.

All you need to pay for applying an RTI is a Rs. 10 stamp on your letter. However, in case the query involves scanning, printing or photocopying of documents, the charges for the same have to be borne by the RTI applicant. For individuals who cannot afford the Rs. 10 stamp, a provision has been made under the Act. If a person holds a 'below poverty line' card, then he/she is exempted from spending on the Rs. 10 stamp.

The RTI query letter should be addressed to the information officer of the specific entity of the specific body. Every public body has to designate an information officer, who provides information under the RTI Act. So, every BMC ward office, court, railway office, etc., will have an officer whose duty is to reply to the RTI queries. Every entity has to display the name of the information officer to whom the letter needs to be addressed. In case the officer's name is not displayed, then the letter should be addressed to the 'Information Officer', followed by the address of the entity.
The query can be written on a plain paper and pasting a Rs. 10 stamp on it, which can be given in person to the officer or can be sent via speed post. But the most important thing to keep in mind while submitting an RTI query is to obtain an acknowledgement of the submitted letter. To know more about the RTI Act, log on to: righttoinformation.gov.in

As told to Pooja Patel