How to file online RTI on RTI Portal
Author:- Akshata
Every citizen of India has the right to information to understand how their elected representative person is doing their function as covered under Article 19 (1)(a) of the Constitution of India.
The Right to Information Act,2005 enacted to set out the rules and procedure with regards to citizen’s right to information. The authorities under RTI are called as quasi-judicial authorities.
The act was passed to invoke the constitutional fundamental right Article 19 the Right of the Freedom of Speech and Expression. The act allows the citizen to request information from a ‘public authority’ which they are required to reply within thirty days.
The RTI act provided to a successful motive as it led to disclose may scams and fraud due to which the Whistle Blowers Protection Act,2011 introduced.
The Supreme Court of India recognized the Right to Information to be a fundamental right under the Article 21 of the Constitution as it can help to the right life in the case Reliance Petrochemicals Ltd vs. Proprietors of Indian Express Newspapers Bombay Pvt Ltd & other. [(1988) 4 SSC 592]. Now question arises, How to file online RTI ?
Following are the steps to file the RTI application online: –
1. Identity why the department of government/ Minister of Government for which information you wish to seek. Find the website of the same and do research for what purpose you need the information so that your application is directed to the right department.
2. Visit the URL:- http://rtionline.gov.in/ . The homepage of the site will show an option to log in for the registered user. Please note you can file RTI directly as registration is not mandatory, by clicking the option of Submit Request.
3. Click on the tab ‘Submit Request’ and go through the guideline. Once done, click to ‘I have read and understand the above guideline’ checkmark and click on submit option.
4. Fill the form for all the details required. Select the department and fill your contact details.
5. If the applicant belongs to below poverty line BPL, he can select the option ‘yes’ in the application form and uploaded the BPL car certificate in supporting document field and will not be asked to pay as it’s free for citizens belonging to BPL since 2012.
6. If the applicant is not BPL, he/she is required to pay Rs.10 via card/ online transfer as per the prescribed rules.
7. Once the applicant is filled. ‘Text for RTI request application’ should be up to 3000 characters.
If the text is more than 3000 characters, then the application can be uploaded in supporting document field with a limit of pdf 1 MB.
8. After filing the form, click on the payment option. The payment can be done via card and online transfer. You will an acknowledgement with a registration number on your filed email Id and contact number. This registration number will allow checking the status of the request on the site.
The application filed reach electronically to the nodal officer of concerned Ministry/Department, who would transmit the RTI application electronically to the concerned CPIO.
If a the reply is not received within 30 days, an appeal can be filed with the Appellate Authority.
We need to understand the difference between RTI Request and RTI Appeal.
RTI request for the first time. A request is made by the citizen to one person. This involves only to party to the process. If the RTI request is not received or the citizen is not satisfied with the answers, the can file to the Appellate Authority.
RTI Appeal is an appeal made before the senior officer against the decision of response or no response. This involves three-party to the process. i.e. appellate authority, citizen, the PIO (citizen to one person).
Steps for filing RTI First Appeal: –
1. For submitting First appeal application, click on ‘submit first appeal’ option. Upon clicking ‘guideline for use of RTI online portal’ screen will e displayed.
2. The applicant has to checkbox ‘I have read and understand the above guideline’ and the click on submit button.
3. Online RTI first appeal from the screen displayed. The applicant needs to the entire registration number, and required information to proceed.
4. After the submission, then online RTI first appeal will be displayed. The applicant needs to select the appropriate reasons to fil the appeal application from ‘ground for appeal’ dropdown field.
5. The text will be the same limit of the RTI request 3000 limit of characters and they can also attach supporting doc with a limit of pdf of 1 MB.
6. No fee has to be paid for the RTI Appeal.
7. On the submission of the application, a unique registration number will be issued for future use.
