The definition of public authority includes any authority, or body, or institutions of self-government, established or constituted by or under the Constitution, or any law made by Parliament or State Legislature, or by a notification or order of the appropriate government. Section 2(e) therefore includes, the presiding officers of the Legislature at the Union and […]

Mechanism for Redressal of Public Grievances: Information is the starting point in a citizen’s quest for justice and is not an end in itself. Information thus becomes a means to fight corruption and misgovernance or obtain better services. Functionaries/departments tend to be defensive rather than proactive in redressing a grievance (or even in disclosing information) […]

Time Limit for Information Beyond 20 Years: RTI Act stipulates that: “Any information relating to any occurrence, event or matter which has taken place, occurred or happened twenty years before the date on which any request is made under section 6 shall be provided to any person making a request under that section:” A uniform […]

Application to Non-Governmental Bodies: Under the Act, a non-governmental body needs to be substantially financed by government to be categorized as a public authority under the Act. Section 5 of the FOI Act (UK) gives the Secretary of State, power to designate private organizations as public authorities if either they appear to him to be […]