1. Use proper format if prescribed by state govt under its RTI rules, otherwise use format for central govt information available on this site. Details are also available on official website of respective state govts under RTI icon and also on website of Information Commission of the State.
2. Pay correct amount of fee by proper mode of payment as prescribed in state RTI rules. For central govt pay by postal order of Rs.10/- in favour of “Accounts officer ___________[mention name of organization to which you are addressing application].
3. Send application with fee by regd or speed AD post. Avoid submitting in person. Avoid courier also. Do not address in personal name of PIO. Use official designation as Public Information Officer [ PIO ].
4. Framing query is very important part of application. Do not ask questions as to why, when, who, whose, how etc. Instead ask for certified photocopies of records which contain the information required by you.
For example do not ask “why my application is not attended so far?” Instead ask “Please provide me reasons and certified copy of records containing reasons for delay in attending my said application”
5. Even if you do not desire to carry out actual inspection of records of govt office, make a request as under in the application:
“On receipt of information under this application, I intend to carry out actual inspection of records at your office. I may be permitted such inspection.”
6. If you are not very conversant with language of record, please add following sentence to the para at 5 above:
I may also be permitted to seek assistance of my relative/friend during inspection, as I am not fully conversant with the language in which your records are maintained.
7. Visit if available, website of the govt office, whose information is required and study RTI icon.
8. Do not waste too much time and energy in deciding which information can be asked and which cannot be. Just ask what ever you want. If you ask you may get, if you do not ask, you will not get. At the most PIO will say NO to your query.
9. Confine to one subject per application.
10. If you want large information, please submit application for few of them and once you get it, shoot another and then third application. This is costly and time consuming, but effective method.
11. Invariably seek names, designations and details of action taken by dept against employees/officers of the govt office who failed to process your pending request as per rule.
12. Ask for free copy of citizen charter of govt. office to be supplied with reply. You can know many things about that office.
13. Do not mention your phone/mobile numbers in the application, so that all communications are in writing. This helps in further appeals.
14. Be crystal clear, firm and to the point but at the same time be courteous. Give serial number to query and avoid essay type application.
15. Do ask for photocopy of file notings pertaining to your matter or application, even if you do not require.
16. If you know section of RTI act or decisions of CIC/SIC, which are in favour of your query mention the same at the end of the respective query as [refer CIC decision No. ____________dtd. ______or refer section _______of RTI Act. etc]
17. If you apprehend problem for you for asking information of sensitive nature which may harm powerful vested interest, please ask your relative or friend living in other state to file the application for the same information.
18. Provide all relevant information already available with you on the subject to PIO to facilitate early locating of records at his end.
19. If you do not know exact details of PIO, just address and mail to “PIO office of ________[mention name of nearest office of the govt dept having some connection with your subject matter of query] “
20. It is advisable to give back ground of seeking the information, though not required by the act.
Even at the end of non-RTI applications made to govt depts., mention as under, giving indication that you know RTI and if this application is not properly attended to RTI application may follow.
“RTI IS MIGHT OF COMMON INDIAN” or
“RTI IS 2 DEMOCRACY, AS AIR IS 2 MAN “ or
“CITIZEN IS OWNER OF GOVT INFO, OFFICER IS CUSTODIAN
or such other catchy slogan, you may think of !!!!
Happy RTIing.
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