Hi Anurag,

Your query seems to be "Is the practice of appointment of APIOs and
PIOs under the same roof a deliberate attempt by P/A to gain 5 days
extra?"

Actually, (and this is where I differ with many other RTI "experts") I
opine:

1) There should be many more APIOs than PIOs. The P/A is required to
have APIOs at every sub-divisional / sub-district level These APIOs
are only to act as Post Office for receiving and conveying the RTI
requests to the CONCERNED PIO. This is the most CRITICAL step in the
RTI process - because in a P/A with multiple PIOs SOMEBODY must be
accountable to ensure that the RTI request is processed properly
WITHIN the P/A. If there are 5 days extra allowed - these 5 days are
WELL SPENT if the APIO forwards it to the right PIO(s) dealing with
the subject (ie. the APIO discharges his duties properly). If there is
any problem with the application fee or IPO then the APIO should be
doing "the needful" and not the PIO.

2) As per me, PIOs should not be receiving RTIs. PIO should be giving
information or applying their minds to exemptions (ie "dealing with"
RTI requests).

3) If the APIO /PIO is within the same premises (in many cases they
share a common wall) then it is silly to add 5 days extra. However,
the CIC has been allowing 5 days extra in such cases also. (I recall
some matter of Gita Verma's on his point) 

Unfortunately the APIOs /PIOs are not working this way. There is some
vague drafting on the RTI Act in section 5(1) / 5(2). RTI'ers who
follow our Responsible RTI Code will not face such problems - because
they would have checked out the P/A's website in advance and framed /
filed their requests accordingly..

Sarbajit

--- In [email protected], anurag prasad <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
>  
>   Hi.
>    
>    
>   Most of the goverment of india and state goverments hosting a lot
of infomration under RTI. I have browsed all most 90% of them. It is
observed, that majority of the public authorities have AA, PIO and
APIO. It is also observed that most of the APIOs and PIOs are under
the same roof. Is it clear violation of the act???????. Or is it
deliberate attempt of the public authorities to gain time of another
five days???????? or the drafting of the circulars by DOPT is in poor
shape?????????. Can any throw light on these .
>    
> 
>        
> ---------------------------------
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