How to file a RTI, Online?

How to file a RTI, Right to Information Online?

Introduction –

• Right to Information or more popularly known as RTI is an Act passed by the union legislature in the year 2005 for better governance and more transparency in the governing system, it gives the citizens of India an opportunity to have access to any file, document, paper which must have been used in generating information of any kind.

• A citizen can through RTI access any and every document in all government departments unless otherwise provided.

• It is to be noted that the provisions of RTI according to S. 24 of the Act do not apply to intelligence and security agencies as mentioned in the the second schedule of the Act.

Benefits of making RTI application online?

• Saves Time

• No Paper work (however you will receive correspondence from government in paper/cd only)

• No Postal formalities (as the complete process is online)

• Online payment facility (Debit/Credit card, Net Banking, Payment Wallets etc.)

• A particular question as to an already existing information

• Address for correspondence

● Supporting Document if any, on which an RTI may be made

Step by Step Guide to make an online RTI Application :-

1. Open the url www.rtionline.gov.in (Note this url is for filing RTI with central government, urls will differ for making RTI with state governments)
2. Select the ministry or department concerned where you wish to file your RTI, for eg., For Railways select Ministry Of Railways
3. Select the concerned Public Authority eg., Central Railway, Western Railway etc.
4. Name and other basic details of the applicant.
5. Address of the applicant (Note :- that Address has to be correct as all correspondence from government will be at the mentioned address only)
6. Select whether the applicant is Below Poverty Line or Not, if yes then enter BPL card No.

After filling all requisite details and asking all relevant questions you can make payment of the said RTI Application and your application will be submitted to the concerned department.

If an applicant of an RTI is not satisfied with the response he can file a Second Appeal to the concerned department.

RTIs & Activism

• RTI has been the biggest weapon in the hands of activist who have been at the forefront of fighting corruption and irregularities in the country.
• RTI by various prominent activists as well as citizens reveal out a lot of scams and other misconduct by the Government machinery in particular.
• RTI thus gives a tooth to the honest citizens of the Country in their fight against such members of the Government Machinery who bring bad name to the whole institution.