Dear Shri Jam The query posed by you appeared interesting to me and I am prompted to respond on this. The word "plenary powers" does not find place anywhere in the RTI Act. Chapter V of the Act detailing Sections 18 to 20, is the only part of the Act which comments on the Powers and Functions of Information Commissioners and nowhere we find this word plenary used in any of the Sections. The dictionary meaning of "plenary" is absolute, unqualified ,to be attended by all members. IC named by you, in my opinion, uses the word "plenary powers" presumably to convey that he is ordering for the information to be provided free of charge / without payment of any fee, by exercising the absolute authority vested under the Act. To me, it does not appear to convey anything beyond that.
--- On Wed, 6/1/10, C K Jam <[email protected]> wrote: From: C K Jam <[email protected]> Subject: [rti_india] Plenary Powers To: [email protected] Date: Wednesday, 6 January, 2010, 9:38 PM Can someone on the group please explain what are "plenary powers". IC MLS is frequently citing something called "plenary powers" to order information without payment of additional fees, to return application fee etc. by using "plenary powers". Is there any provision in the RTI Act for such "plenary powers' vested in the IC's ? In which section ? RTIwanted The INTERNET now has a personality. YOURS! See your Yahoo! Homepage. http://in.yahoo.com/
