Sakshi Trust "RTI"

To use RTI effectively and efficiently, and to save your and the government’s time and money, it is best to begin with information that is already published under RTI. Whatever be the government department that you are seeking information from, your first step should be to access the information already made available under RTI under Section 4 (1)(b) or otherwise called the voluntary declaration of a public authority (for definition of a public authority click here). This section of the Right to Information Act states that every public authority must declare 17 manuals of their department. These include:

·         Particulars of its organization, functions and duties

·         Powers of officers and employees

·         Monthly remuneration received by officers and employees

·         Beneficiaries of subsidies, exemption, authorizations

·         Budget, rules, procedures, manuals, guidelines regarding various services

·         Names and designation of Public Information Officers (PIO)

·        This information has to be revised and updated every year

The voluntary declaration is useful for a citizen as it gives clear insight into the organizational functions of the department from which information is being sought and makes it easier to track down the correct PIO. Many of the queries with regard to procedures and rules can be clarified from this voluntary declaration and does not require you to give a separate application that would take 30 days and would cost a lot more.

Public Authorities are expected to keep their 4 (1)(b) declaration published and ready. Most departments and ministries have done so, and all you need to do is search the web for the relevant ministry and check the various links on its website for a RTI link. You should ideally find this declaration through such a link, however if it is not available there, then you will need to request it. This is especially true in case of lower-level government offices where awareness of RTI is still very low. 

Click here for the standard format for requesting the SUO MOTO declaration.

This letter can be sent by registered post (RPAD) from any Post Office or it can be physically delivered to the concerned officer. Remember to keep an acknowledged copy / acknowledgement card of the RPAD delivery along with a copy of your letter for future escalation. Please do not submit your letter if the application is not acknowledged when delivering physically.

In case of any issues such as no response, being refused submission/acknowledgement or inadequately compiled information in the declaration, proceed to Step 7

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