The tendering process, allotment of work, detailed project reports (DPRs) and other information related to the scheme are available in digital format.

Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) is a rural infrastructure scheme of the ministry of rural development (MoRD).

The PIO has to “apply his/her mind, analyse the material” and then direct disclosure or give reasons for non-disclosure of information, the court added.Īlso read: Provision in RTI Act allowing transfer of application to ‘appropriate’ department gives authorities easy escape route PMGSY RTI application in J&K

“Every effort should be made to locate information, and the fear of disciplinary action would work as a deterrent against the suppression of information for vested interests,” the HC said while stressing the PIOs “cannot function merely as post offices”, but ensure information is provided to the applicant. The court observed that Central/state PIOs cannot withhold information without a reasonable cause and evade disclosure of information. In Rakesh Kumar Gupta vs Central Information Commission, 2021, the Delhi High Court (HC) said that PIOs cannot “function merely as post offices”, but have to provide the information sought from them. Even if the PIO possesses the information, the application is forwarded to other public authorities mostly subordinate to the officer. However, this ‘loophole’ in the Act is being increasingly used by government departments to deny information to RTI applicants by passing the buck. In such a case, the Central/state public information officer (CPIO/PIO) must transfer the application to the authority possessing the required information within five days of receiving it and inform the applicant accordingly. Subsection 3 of Section 6 has the noble intention of saving the applicant’s effort and time if the information sought from a public authority is with another department. Section 6 allows a citizen “to obtain any information under this Act” by requesting in writing or through electronic means accompanied by such fees as may be prescribed. The Act mandates timely response to a request for information by a citizen. The Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, a revolutionary legislation that allows every Indian to access information from public authorities, was enacted with this aim. However, it is being exploited by several officials who refuse to furnish information and forward the application to another department or authority, writes RAJA MUZAFFAR BHAT.ĬITIZENS must be empowered to obtain information from the government for the promotion of transparency and accountability in a democracy. Section 6(3) of the RTI Act is intended to save the applicant’s effort and time if the information sought from a public authority is with another department.

Section 10 of rti act