Restrict info under RTI to BPL applicants, says Vijay Kumbhar

Right to Information (RTI) activist Vijay Kumbhar has demanded that there should be some restriction on supply of free information to the applicants belonging to below poverty line (BPL).

As per RTI Act, 2005, section 7, the applicant would pay the fee as prescribed for information to be provided in printed or in electronic format. But no such fee shall be charged from the persons who are below poverty line (BPL).

Kumbhar has made the suggestion to the ministry of personnel of Government of India. The Centre has proposed to change rules about RTI Act, 2005 regarding the payment of fee and the appeal procedure. It has invited suggestions from citizens by December 27 on the issue.

Kumbhar told DNA that there are many instances where the provision of providing information to poor for free is misused.

Many times, such applicants under BPL category get wads of paper by applying for information and then sell these papers as scrap. Such misuse puts unnecessary burden on public authorities.

There is a need to review the provision of providing information for free to those belonging to BPL category and some restriction needs to be imposed in provision of information for free.

He said section 5 (e) of proposed RTI rules says “the actual amount spent by public authority on hiring a machine or any other equipment, if any, to supply information be recovered from applicant for giving information.’’

He said that the terms ‘machine’ and ‘equipment’ must be specifically defined, otherwise most of the central public information officers would misuse this provision. It may be used to cover cost of computers, printers and typing machines also.