Important provisions of Right to Information(RTI) Act, 2005

Introduction - 

       Right to Information Act is to provide for setting out practical regimes of Right to Information for citizens to secure access to information under control of public authorities, in order to promote transparency and accountability in working of every public authority.  The Right to Information Act, came into force on 12th October 2005.

Definition of information Section 2 (f)

     Section 2(f) of the said Act, defines word "information", according to section 2(f) of the Right to Information Act, "information" means any material in any form, including records, documents, memos, emails, opinion, Advisors, press releases, circular, order, logbooks, Contracts, reports, papers, samples, models, data material held in any electronic form of 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.

Definition of Right to Information Section 2(J)

            According to Section 2(j) of the  Right to Information Act, " Right to Information"  means The Right to Information accessible under this act which is held by or under the control of any public authority and includes the right to -

     (1). Inspection of work, documents required;

     (2). Taking notes, extracts, or certified occupies of documents are records;

     (3). Taking certified samples of material;

     (4). Obtain information in the form of diskettes, Flippies, tapes, videos cassettes or in any other electronic mode or through printouts where such information is stored or in a computer or in any other device.

Important provisions of Right to Information Act 2005 (RTI)

 Some of the important provisions of the  Right to Information Act 2005 are as follows -

1. Obligations of public authorities - 

               According to Section 4(1), every public authority shall maintain all records systematically duly cataloged and it also seeks to publish within 120 days 17 types of information about working of Organisation on various aspects.

2.  Designation of Public Information Officer-

            According to Section 5(1)(2) - Every public officer shall, within 100 days of the enactment of this Act, designation of officers central/ state Public Information Officer who will be required to dispose of application received under the Act. They will be solely responsible for disposal of such requests.

3.  Constitution of Central information commission - 

           Section 12, It provides for the setting of Central Information Commission to attend functions like attending to complains, appeals imposing penalty.

4.  Term of office and condition of services of Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioner -

           It lays down the terms of office and other conditions of services like status, the salary of Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioner.


5.  Constitution of state information commission (Section 16)

6.  Power to make Rule By Central and state government for fixation of fees and formulation of rules for effective administration of the Act.  (Section 27)

See also...

1. Consequences of Non-Compliance With The Provisions Relating to Arrest (Cr.P.C)

2. Difference/Distinction between Shares and Stock | Company Law

3. Distinction/Difference between Inquiry and Investigation

4. Important Definitions of Administrative Law