A person seeking information may file an application in Form “A” with the Competent Authority either in writing or by email giving particulars of the information being sought. Forms are available free of cost with the Competent Authorities. A copy of the form is annexed to this brochure. The format can be used for filing handwritten applications or sending it through email.

The Government will make its endeavor to provide the information in 15 days subject to a maximum of 30 days.

Reason for seeking information are not required to be given.

Information means any material in any form including records, documents, memos, e-mails, opinions, advices, press releases, circulars, orders, logbooks, contracts, reports, papers, samples, models, data material held in any electronic form and information relating to any private body which can be accessed by a public authority under any other law for the time being in force but does not include “file nothings” [S.2(f)].

It will take 48 hours for information concerning the life and liberty of a person.

For Central Departments as of 2006, there is a fee of Rs.10 for filing the request, Rs.2 per page of information and Rs.5 for each hour of inspection after the first hour, if the applicant is a Below Poverty Card holder then no fee shall apply. Such BPL card holders have to provide a copy of their BPL card along with their application to the Public Authority.

The Act passes by the US Congress. The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), enacted in 1966, generally provides that any person has the right to request access to federal agency records or information. Federal agencies are required to disclose records upon receiving a written request for them, except for those records that are protected from disclosure by any of the nine exemptions or three exclusions of the FOIA. This right of access is enforceable in court.

Every PIO will be liable for fine of Rs.250 per day, up to a maximum of Rs.25,000 for not accepting an application/ delaying information/ knowingly giving incomplete, incorrect, misleading information/ destroying information that has been requested/ obstructing furnishing of information in any manner.

Yes. The Public Information officer, concerned, should help the illiterate to fill the application and documents necessary for the application.

Yes. Right to information means right to access to information or material relating to the affairs of body owned, controlled or substantially financed by Government, non-Government organisation substantially financed, Record includes� (a) any document, manuscript and file; (b) any microfilm, microfiche and facsimile copy of a document; (c) any reproduction of image or images embodied in such microfilm (whether enlarged or not); and (d) any other material produced by a computer or any other device.

Central Information Commission

Any authority or body or institution of self- government established or constituted. a) By or under the Constitution; (b) By any other law made by Parliament; (c) By any other law made by State Legislature; (d) By notification issued or order made by the appropriate Government, and includes any� (i) Body owned, controlled or substantially financed; (ii) Non-Government organisation substantially financed.

Yes. It is compulsory for each public authority to publish the Particulars of Information once in five years. Powers and duties of its officers and employees and the procedure followed by them in the decision making process. Once in two years details of facilities available to citizens for obtaining information annually.

Creating a more open and democratic society/ challenging corruption and enhancing transparency/ to enable an informed citizenry, meaningful public participation and exposure of corruption and mismanagement.

Anyone is entitled to make a request for information, and no one need to state his or her reasons for applying.

Lower Courts are barred from entertaining suits or applications against any order made under this Act. (S.23) However, the writ jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and High Courts under Articles 32 and 225 of the Constitution remains unaffected.

Appeal to the just above authority of appeal. In case appeal is allowed, the Competent Authority shall supply the information to the applicant within such period as ordered by the Appellate Authority. This period shall not exceed 30 days from the date of receipt of the order. There is no provision for second appeal under the Act.

If the PIO fails to give decision on the request within the period specified, he can deny any application for information at his will.

The human right to secure access to publicly held information and the corresponding duty upon a public body to make information available.

It comes into force on the 12^th October, 2005 (120^th day of its enactment on 15^th June, 2005). 68 countries around the world have ATI [Access to Information] laws, of which 56 adopted laws since 1992, and 36 in the new millennium.

Any public authority should publish the following under the Act

1. Objective/purpose of the public authority
2. Mission / Vision Statement of the public authority
3. Brief history of the public authority and context of its formation
4. Duties of the public authority
5. Main activities/functions of the public authority
6. List of services being provided by the public authority with a brief write-up on them
7. Organizational Structure Diagram at various levels namely State, directorate, region district, block etc. (whichever is applicable)
8. Mechanism available for monitoring the service delivery and public grievance resolution
9. Morning hours of the office : Closing hours of the office etc.

To the executive offer/secretary/ of person authorized by the authority as PIO in panchayath.

If it is covered by exemption from disclosure (S.8) information, disclosure of which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security, strategic, scientific or economic interests of the State, relation with foreign State or lead to incitement of an offence.

A third party means a person other than the citizen making a request for information and includes a public authority. Third parties have a right to be heard in respect of applications and appeals dealing with information submitted by them to the Government in confidence. [S.2(n) and S.11]