Comments on: What “information” can be asked under RTI?

By: K.Baburajendra Prasad

K.Baburajendra Prasad — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:06:54 +0000

As per the dictionery, ” Organised / processed / compiled data” is called information. Even manipulation of data is also permitted in statistical studies. Mostly the information will not be available in any govt office, in the format required by the applicants. That means, what is available may be, ready made information or data which can be compiled into information. According to sec 7.9, the information should be provided in the format sought by the applicants. This means that if the information is not readily available in the applicant’s format, the data should be compiled in applicant’s format and the same should be furnished to the applicants.
Sec 2 f appears to be short of the fact that compilation, processing and organising of data is an essential requirement of information. I am facing this problem in some of my applications. The PIO is denying information since some amount compilation of data from different files has become necessary before he furnish the information to me. The PIO had even refused to obey the order of Information commissioner and filed writ petitions in the High Court. The argument of PIO may not stand but it leaves scope for mis interpretation / mis understanding of the term ” INFORMATION” BY THE JUDGE. If the judge is not capable of understanding, I may loose the battle and I may not get the information.
I think to this extent, sec 2f needs amendment and PCRF should deliberate and take action.

By: K.Baburajendra Prasad

K.Baburajendra Prasad — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:30:45 +0000

I live in Hyderabad. I had filed several applications with the PIO, Housing Board. Certain information was denied under sec 8,1(d). Sec 8,1(d) says that if the disclosure is harmful to the COMPETITIVE POSITION OF A “THIRD PARTY”, THE SAME CAN BE DENIED. Now in my case there is no third party at all and the PIO is trying to twist the act to suit his requirement. Unless we look at the act very carefully, we are likely to be fooled by the PIOs.
Sec. 8,1(j) says that the information which cannot be denied to Parliament / state legislature shall not be dnied to any peson. Under this clause, very rarely information can be denied. Hence it is very clear as to which information can be asked.

By: R.K.Ramchandani

R.K.Ramchandani — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:17:15 +0000

i am as an RTI activist since Maharashtra RTI ACT 2003 applied so many Application for informations under RTI along with appeals as per the rti act there is time limitation for PIOS/FAAS & SIC information Commissioners to dispose the applications/appeals but sorry to say no rule of law maintained in the greater Mumbai chief information commissioners office(SIC Maharashtra) along with Konkan Region (Navi Mumbai SIC Maharashtra).
there were so many modifications for penalty orders without any compensations to the suffered general applicants.
There are orders placed by the FAAS & SIC Commissioners as an symptomatically along with humanity grounds is it an democratic functions of SICS/FAAS/PIOS for the citizens?

By: Rajendra Chopra

Rajendra Chopra — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:37:15 +0000

Dear Abhishek Sharma,

Read your above message .Have courageous my friend. LIC Officials cannot forfeit your 10th Certificate on any ground . God sees the truth but waits, remember this. God’s RTI is spiritual RTI , everyone has to answer that RTI too after leaving this world , anyone can be escaped from the material RTI via manipulation but that RTI is un-manipulatable.

By: Rajendra Chopra

Rajendra Chopra — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:29:55 +0000

Today I read in ‘Navbharat Times’ paper that Mr. Aamir Khan(among RTI awards jury) has demanded that Smt. Kiran Bedi, former IPS(Retd.) should become our next Chief Information Commissioner at CIC. Aamir Sir, this recommendation is 100% excellent, but that persons who put so much obstacles in the path of Smt. Kiran Bedi to promote her as Commission of Police in Delhi, how such type of people would agree on this honest issue.

we generally pray to God, take oath of honesty and sincerity but when its practicability came into existence ,our bureaucrats and leaders spread maximum possible throns in the path of promotion of honest persons, after all this is my India. Excuse me for truth expressions.

By: K.Baburajendra Prasad

K.Baburajendra Prasad — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:19:33 +0000

I live in Hyderabad. I have filed applications in Andhra Prasesh Housing Board (APHB owned by A.P.Government)for information regarding dates of sale of 2080 flats. The information was denied under Sec 8,1 (d) & (j). But the IC has ordered to give entire information. But the PIO proceeded to High court and filed Two Writ Petitions. In the petitions, he claimed that in addition to Sec 8,1 (d) & (j), since Some amount of compilation of the data from few files is needed the information does not satisfy the definition given in sec 2f. and hence The PIO denied the information.He is proposing that I should go to his office and inspect all the 2080 files and collect the information required. The case is going on from one year.
My argument is that Processed data / compiled data / organised data is called information. Every information needs certain amount of processing / compilation and I have not asked for inspection of files.I know specifically what is needed by me and I need not inspect the files and not prepared to inspect. The PIO has no choice / to suggest inspection instead of giving information. I know that If I accept the proposal of PIO, I will be harassed by the PIO in his office by various triks and I will not get the information even after 5 years. Already the information is delayed by 2 years. Also the act is “Right To Information” and not “Right to Data”. Since the APHB is a government unit with “Providing Housing accomodation at affordable Price”, APHB is not a commercial organisation and all the information without any exception should be available to citizens.

By: Siddharth

Siddharth — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:01:51 +0000

Victor is absolutely correct on his finding and suggestions on the topic “what information can be asked under RTI”. In this regard I would like to say that appointment of retired bureaucrats/civil servants as information commissioner should be discouraged as the old babus are sympathetic towards their subordinate govt. servants and facilitating their escape to penalty/action by giving them several dates and chances to prepare grounds for the same although the PIOs are deliberately mischievous and careless to help implement this pro-people Act. In Orissa portal of the commission one could see several such instances where a simple complain case even takes more than one/two years for decision wherein even a PIO didn’t care to attend or apply leave after two or more hearing dates given by the commission. Further more we see no logic in insisting the petitioner/complainant to attend the commission for hearing from a distant place spending hundreds of rupees for each date for the sake of an information which should have been given to him at a cost of Rs.10/-only as per the Act, had the PIO and his office had been transparent in implementing the RTI ACT.

By: Rajendra Chopra

Rajendra Chopra — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 13:19:41 +0000

Why no action has been taken on my file’ – isn’t that a legitimate question under RTI?

If the above question is not fall under the definition/purview of “Information” stop be-fooling the public anymore, and close this RTI Act with immediate effect, I suggest.

By: abhishek sharma

abhishek sharma — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 05:45:40 +0000

sir,
i was workig with lic and later left the job. during selection process they collected my 10th class certificate for verification process.after leaving the job i sought for some information fromLIC using RTI act in which i gave them some facts and asked for what acyion lic will take on that authority that did not follow that rule.their pet reply came ” this information does not come under the RTI-act.
later when i went to collect my certificate from lic they told me”ah! you r that rTI guy. you filed the case under RTI now why r u coming to us to collect ur certificate go to RTI , collect your certificate from them”.when i told them that RTI has nothing to do with my certificate . they told me that the clerk who will give u certificate is not present today,come another day.i told them that i travelled almost 100kms to reach office but they told me to come another day and i returned empty handed.sir i am planning to go to office again but i feel they will again trouble me due to use of rti.. i request you to help me in getting my certificate back, if anything like this happens.my phone is 9557141212. sir please do ot publish this untill i get my certificate back. please try to understand

By: victor

victor — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 11:39:41 +0000

The least that is said about Central Information Commission (CIC), M M Ansari the best.
He keeps expecting people staying 2000km away from Delhi to visit him for information.
A government servant should do his duty every day in his office and procure the information from the respective PIO’S/CPIO’S.
INSTEAD HE wants all the RTI Applicants to visit him.
Nowhere in the RTI Act 2005 these things are precsribed.
For me he is only appointed to furnish information and find out the reason why PIO’S/CPIO’S fail to furnish information.The right to information includes an access to the information which is held by or under the control of any public authority and includes the right to inspect work, documents, records, taking notes, extracts or certified copies of documents / records and certified samples of the materials and obtaining information which is also stored in electronic form.
All these things are in the domain of the public authorities, and it would be foolish to expect RTI Applicants to seek it in the CIC’S Office at Delhi.
Central Information Commission (CIC), M M Ansari could do well to procure all the information first and then call us to Delhi to present it to us.
Whether it is Ansari or Tiwari, please do your duty for which you are paid and do not judge as you are not paid for it.
For me you are just a paid worker to do the work you are ment for, failing which you can be subject to the conduct rules.