This is my ongoing experience with PIO of Village Wanadongri - Hingna Nagpur, Mr. D.A. Rathod. (Gram Sachiva)
1) PIO raised a demand of Rs. 2660/- as RTI fees for information - time table for water distribution, cost of particular road and record of bleaching powder distribution. 2) PIO is of the opinion that he is authorised to charge Rs. 5/ - per page of information. When asked how many pages he is going to supply - he said information is of 525 pages. 3) When asked to give description of fees - first he asked correspondence in Marathi although he accepted RTI application in English. When Marathi translation is submiited he is saying information is of approx of 600 pages and fee includes search fees and other fees. 4) I can move with appellate authority since PIO is deliberately delaying information. Since above information will expose corruption in Gram Panchayat, PIO is delaying the info before he manage to get transfer. I am thinking of paying the fees with protest letter and then move to appellate authority for being aggrived by demand of unreasonable fee and not supplying description of fees. Request to list: If you have similar experience(s) - please share your comments - whether to file appeal or pay huge RTI fee in protest and later move for appeal. It is most likely that PIO may submit irrelevant information. Your guidance is solicited. Regards, Avinash Murkute Mobile: 09822698070
