The long running debate on whether RTI can be misused is still open.
As an example, I am copy pasting below an RTI which one of our members is
circulating. Is this the current "State of the Art" RTI request, and can it be
improved upon ?
<snip>
To SPEED POST AD April 18,
2009
The Public Information Officer,
O/o Punjab State Electricity Board,
Goraya
SUB: APPLICATION UNDER RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT, 2005
Gentleman,
Under the provisions of The Right to Information Act, 2005, we enclose herewith
the Indian Postal order for Rs. 10/- bearing no.55E375238 dated 18/4/2009
Favouring Accounts Officer, O/o SDO, Punjab State Electricity Board, Goraya
with a request to kindly furnish the following information.
Mr. Narinder Pal S/o Mr. Kedar Nath had applied for the shifting of High
Tension Wires moving across his land situated Near Service Station towards
Railway Line and had deposited the requisite fee amounting to Rs. 1,23,157/-
(Rs. One lac twenty three thousand one haundered fifty seven only) vide your
Form No. R.O. 4 Book No. D91505 Receipt No. 226 Est No. 82001/08100 dated
8/5/08 receipt no. A copy of the receipt is enclosed herewith. Please provide
the following information with regard to the application.
1. Please furnish the file noting and notesheet about the action has been
taken on the letter/application/ so far.
2. Please provide copies of the entire file and other related documents,
records, memos, file notings, logbooks, etc that have been generated as a
result of the above subject of shifting the HT Line.
3. Please provide a Daily Progress Report from the date of application up
to the date of supplying the information in the following format:
Date in
Receipt ref.
Name & Designation of official
Details of action taken by official
Date out
Despatch ref.
Period*
*Period refers to the duration in terms of number of days when the file/matter
was pending with this official.
4. Please provide copies of those portions of the dispatch and receipt
registers which record the movement of the file/ matter.
5. Please explain the complete procedure followed when the appropriate
authority receives such application.
6. Please provide a copy of the following documents:
a. Citizens Charter
b. Conduct Rules applicable on your staff/employees.
c. Rules and Regulations that concern and effect your citizens/customers.
d. Any other similar policy document or guidelines.
7. Please provide all applicable/ specified timelines as to, according your
citizens charter or rules/regulations, the no. of days it takes for such a work
to be processed at each step.
8. If you have a timeline for stage-wise handling of the matter, provide a
copy of the same.
9. If no action has been taken at all or by any concerned official, please
state the name and designation of officer/engineer/clerk.
10. Please provide the names, designations and current official contact details
of those officers who were supposed to take action but who have not done so, or
have not adhered to the time limits.
11. Please state the names and contact details of controlling authorities of
those officials/ employees who were supposed to take action.
12. Not adhering to time limits renders one guilty of misconduct under conduct
rules. Pleas advise what action is specified against guilty officials. I will
file a separate application to know if you have taken that action and the
details thereof.
13. Disobeying any direction of law renders a public servant liable to the
punishment under Section 166 of Indian Penal Code. Please advise if you will
file a criminal complaint against guilty officials. If yes please advise by
when. If not, I will be forced to do so.
14. Please inform the present status of the matter.
15. Please advise a date by when the matter will be resolved/concluded.
OR
Please inform when the High Transmission Electric Wires will be shifted
from the site.
· There is a provision of penalty u/s 20 (1) & (2)
· Sect 7(9) An information shall ordinarily be provided in the form in
which is sought.
· As per Sec 7(3)(a) Calculation of further fee should also be given to
the applicant.
· The information as sought does not come under section 8 of RTI, 2005
and further as per section 8(j) that the information which can not be denied to
The Parliament or State Legislature shall not be denied to any person.
Yours truly,
RAJNEESH MADHOK,
B-XXX/63, NEHRU NAGAR,
ST. NO. 2, RAILWAY ROAD,
PHAGWARA-144401 (PB)
PH: 01824-262569 (O), 268210 (R), 094173-06415
TELE-FAX: 01824-262569, E-MAIL: rajneesh_mad...@...
Encl: Indian Postal order No. 55E 375228 favouring Accounts Officer, O/o SDO,
Punjab State Electricity Board, Goraya issued by Head Post Office, Phagwara
