Babus can't charge extra fee for RTI plea

New Delhi: In a decision that will have far-reaching consequences, prime minister Manmohan Singh has given a big relief to right to information (RTI) applicants.

He has directed that no fee be charged from an applicant on account of postal expenses or deployment of manpower for supplying information.

The department of personnel and training (DoPT) works under the PM. DoPT, which looks into RTI applications, has issued a directive saying a public information officer (PIO) cannot charge any extra fee for supplying information other than what has already been prescribed by law.

“It is hereby clarified that when a PIO takes a decision to provide information on payment of fee in addition to the application fee, he should determine the quantum of such fee in accordance with the fee prescribed under the fee and cost rules and give details of such fee to the applicant together with the calculation made to arrive at such a fee,” the department said in a late night order issued on May 24.

It said neither the Right to Information (Regulation of Fee & Cost) Rules, 2005 nor the RTI Act give powers to the PIO to charge any fee other than what has been prescribed in the fee and cost rules.

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With thanks : source : DNAINDIA

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