The Kolaveri song became such a popular that crossed even the border of the nation. This song was translated (of course the simplest translation job) into most of the languages including Japanese, Korean, and Chinese etc. These topics were sufficiently discussed in many forums in several Media’s. Why the RTI field alone to stand away from the said trend? Now let’s through a light on “Why application filed under RTI?” in the same tune of Why dis Infoveri?
Obviously there must be at least a single reason to file an application for RTI. The burning issue is that such reasons were most commonly not liked by the Public Authorities. The best in RTI Act is that the information seeker need not give reason for seeking such information. In this critical situation the officials of public authorities breaking their heads while reading the RTI application in first instance & foreseeing the consequences which will come up on providing such information. Even otherwise nothing is wrong to attempt to guess the most possible reasons for seeking information by the Information Seeker.
The top most reason for RTI might be to know the process of any activity or functions of the Public Authority. Though the intention to know the process is correct, but at the same time the information seeker also supposed to know the process of RTI first, along with application methods, fee rule, appeal processing etc. Instead of consuming much time to learn about RTI, the seeker finds other means to know the process. Thus the grounds for this reason may not be more common in RTI application.
Another step of application is to know the reason for any jobs which were not materialized even after fulfilling all requirements. In this situation, the applicant force to seek the procedural requirement from the Public authority and compare the lapses if any made by him while clearing his job. Even in this case also, the applicant’s interest is to force the Public Authority to finish the pending issues. The applicant never deposit the cost of the information if his issue were cleared on submission of RTI & also just informing the dealing hand about the filing of such RTI.
To avoid such applications via RTI the Public Authorities to change their old mind set of secret governance to the transparent regiem. The Section 4 of the RTI Act provides space for informing & updating periodically the information pro actively. This Section expects every public authority to inform the procedure followed in the decision making process including channels of spevision & accountability and the norms set by it for the discharge of its function. By informing citizen such details as envisized in Section 4 of RTI Act, the burden of handling RTI might be reduced in large extent.
It is also an aother type of application whose main intention is to create stress in the officials in the Public Authority and get their work done or to resolve their grievances. Seeking such information mounting certain amount stress to the person involved with that information. Some of the employees prolonged with the sleepless nights on receipt of scuh application. Some other opts for voluntary retirement just to avoid such RTI problems. Training is the only medicice to cure such mental agony. Every public authority to give atleast one hour training to their all staff irrespective of Class & subject dealt. This training definitely enhance the handling capacity of RTI and also helps to create the system transparent way.
Yet another interesting type of application which was received from the same person for seeking varied information. The application made by professional RTI users, well framed, to the point and also with the exact wordings. If the Public Authority fails to give attention to these professionals they will followup till the receipt of information. They will not hesitate to go to the First Appeal and also drag the officials before Central Information Commission. Apart from getting information for the client these professionals will also seek penalty under Section 20 of RTI Act and claim for compensation too. Public Authoritties needs to give their attention on priority to such Professional RTI applicants. Some times it will be the process of learning by doing. On receipt on an application from such professionals the PIO will be tharough in all formalities from First appeal to Second appeal before CIC.
Some time serious information might be sought by the normal information seeker and a normal querries will be raised by professional Information seeker. Whatever may be the case, providing information is the primary job of the Public Authority irrespective of the gravity of the information seeker.
This article aiming to through light on various types of application in RTI. Also this focusing the imporatance to deal the RTI applications as early as possible within the stipulated time frame specified in the RTI Act.
For further clarifications and also if you need more details about RTI feel free to contact over mail in tnkdcealhw@gmail.com
அந்தமான் தமிழ் நெஞ்சன் 