Steps to popularize use of RTI Act

As per the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, all citizens shall have the right to information. Further, RTI Act provides for setting out the practical regime of right to information for citizens to secure access to information under the control of public authorities, in order to promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority.

A number of measures have been taken by the Government to popularize the RTI Act which inter-alia includes:

1. Under the Centrally Sponsored Plan Scheme “Improving Transparency and Accountability in Government through Effective Implementation of the Right to Information Act”, the Central Government provides funds every year to various State Administrative Training Institutes (ATIs) for promoting various awareness generation activities like mass media campaigns, publishing of handbooks, pamphlets, banners etc. on RTI and for its distribution among public etc.

2. Providing funds to State Information Commissions for celebration of RTI weeks during 5th -12th October.

3. RTI web portal www.rtionline.gov.in was launched w.e.f. 21st August, 2013 to facilitate citizens for filing online RTI applications and first appeals with the facility of online payment of RTI fees. RTI online portal has provided the facility to citizens for filing applications and first appeals in Hindi language also.

4. Government website gives detailed information on various aspects of Right to Information Act like how to make request for information, whom to approach for information, rules, etc.

This was stated by the Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Dr. Jitendra Singh in written reply to a question by Shri Amar Shankar Sable in the Rajya Sabha today.