How to file RTI to Departments in Jharkhand?

The Right to Information Act, 2005 is applicable to all States of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir. However, each State differs in terms of implementation of the Act and each state has different guidelines when it comes to filing RTI application. Jharkhand RTI Rules have been made by the Governor in accordance to the provisions of sub section(1) read with sub- section (2) of Section 27 of the Right to Information Act, 2005. To enlighten yourself with the rules implemented by Jharkhand, you can read

If you wish to exercise your right to information, follow the steps mentioned below in order to successfully file an RTI application in Jharkhand.

1. Identify the Department to which you wish to file the RTI Application:

The first step to file an RTI Application is to identify the Department / Public Authority. Section 2 (h) of the RTI Act lays down the definition of Public Authorities that come under the ambit of the Act. For eg, all civic issues like water problem, garbage, street lights, building permission in cities are under respective Corporation. In case the matters pertain to Gangtok Municipal Corporation which is a Public Authority, you should address the same to the Corporation.

Departments under Jharkhand Government

All Jharkhand State Government Departments and local governing bodies in Jharkhand like Municipal Corporations (Ranchi Municipal Corporation, Dhanbad Municipal Corporation etc) Jharkhand Education Department, Jharkhand Bijli Vitran Nigam Ltd., Jharkhand Rural Health Mission, Jharkhand Staff Service Commission, Jharkhand State electricity Board, Jharkhand Academic Council, Jharkhand Dentists Registration Tribunal, Greater Ranchi Development Authority, Jharkhand Industrial Area Development Authority, Jharkhand State Open School etc.

List of Jharkhand State Government Departments are as follows:

• Agriculture and Cooperation
• Animal Husbandry and Fisheries
• Consumer Affairs, Food Civil Supplies
• Backward Classes Welfare
• Department for Women, Children, Disabled and Senior Citizens
• Energy
• Environment, Forests, Science and Technology
• Finance
• General Administration
• Health, Medical & Family Welfare
• Higher Education
• Revenue
• Planning
• Industries and Commerce
• Information Technology, Electronics and Communications
• Transport, Roads and Buildings
• Law
• School Education, etc.
2. Write your queries in the Application:

You should address your queries in the Application in simple language, you can write the application in English or Hindi Language. It is important to note that “Wh” questions are not entertained in RTI. For eg, you wish to know the Status of your Water Connection Application from Ranchi Municipal Corporation, you can frame the question as “Please provide information pertaining to the Status of the Water Connection” or “Please provide Reasons as per Record for Delay in issuing the Connection” instead of asking “Why is the Water connection not issued”. Also you cannot ask Situation Based questions / clarifications involving “If” in the application.

3. Whom should the RTI Application be addressed to?

Under the RTI Act, 2005 every department should appoint a Public Information Officer (PIO) who is responsible to receive and reply to RTI applications filed to that department. Hence, all the RTI applications should be addressed to the Public Information Officer of that Department.

4. When will the response be provided to your RTI Application?

According to the RTI Act, the response to the RTI application in Jharkhand, or any other state should be provided by the PIO within 30 days from the receipt of the same. This includes applications made online or offline. If the information requested in the RTI relates to another department, then the PIO is mandated to transfer the same within 5 days from the receipt of the RTI to that department who has the information. A First Appeal can be filed to the First Appellate Authority (FAA) if there is no response from the government office after completion of 30 days or if the Applicant is not satisfied with the response of RTI Application.

In case you are not satisfied with the outcome of the First Appeal, or there has been no order passed by FAA, A Second Appeal can be filed to Jharkhand Information Commission.

5. Pay the Prescribed fee as per Jharkhand RTI Rules:

You have to make a Payment of Court Fee of Rs. 10/- to obtain information from the SPIO/SAPIO, under Section 6 (1) of the Act. Attach the fee in the form of Court Fee Stamp along with the Application. You can also make a payment in the mode of a non-Judicial Stamp Paper of Rs.10 or by Demand Draft/Banker’s Cheque/ Indian Postal Order payable in favour of “ (name of the link bank) a/c Government ofJharkhand, RTI Rules.

6. APPLICATION FORMAT FOR INFORMATION UNDER RTI ACT 2005

To The Public Information Officer

1. Full Name of the Applicant (in capital letters)

_________________________________________________

2. Father’s /Husband Name ( in capital letters)

__________________________________________________

3. Complete address

__________________________________________________

___________ Pin code

__________________________________________________

4. Telephone No.

Office__________________Res.__________________Mobile

________________________

5. Whether belong to BPL category (if yes, please attach a copy of the BPL/Antyodaya ration card (please tick) Yes_______ No ________ to claim waiver of the application fee)

6. Details of Application Fee/Addl. Fee:- (Application Fee – Rs. 10/-., Addl. Fee - @ Rs.2/- per page for A-4 Size paper created or copied, by cash, DD/BC/IPO to be drawn in favour of Pay & Account Office, Ministry of Tourism, Payable at the office where application is submitted) Cash Receipt/DD/Bankers Cheque / IPO No. Date Name of the issuing Bank/Authority Amount(Rs.)

7. Particulars of information required (please enclose separate sheet, if required, indicating specific detail of information required and the preferred medium i.e. inspection, photocopy, softcopy, etc.)

DECLARATION

I state that the information sought does not fall within the restriction contained in Section 8 & 9 of the RTI Act and to the best of my knowledge it pertains to your office.

Place: ________________ Date: ________________

7. Submit the Application:

Once the application is drafted as per the Steps mentioned above, you should send your application via speed post or registered post to the concerned Department.




To file an RTI Application on OnlineRTI, follow the steps below:

• Visit the

  Apply

  page and write your question in simple English.

• Proceed with the Payment to complete your application.
• Our Team of RTI experts and lawyers will draft your application and we will send it to you for your approval. After your approval, we will post and send your application to the concerned Public Authority / Department.




To know more about the procedure to file RTI on OnlineRTI, please visit

OnlineRTI.com