Right to Information Act, 2005 (RTI Act, 2005)
Right to Information Act, 2005 (RTI Act, 2005)
The Right to Information Act, 2005, came into force on 12 October 2005 with the objective of ensuring that information held by public authorities is accessible to all citizens, promoting transparency and accountability in the functioning of public institutions, strengthening public trust, and combating corruption.
The Act applies to all public authorities established or constituted by the Constitution, by any law made by Parliament or State Legislatures, or by government notifications. It also covers non-governmental organizations that receive financial assistance from the Government in any form.
Under the Act, every citizen has the right to:
- Inspect any work, document, or record under the control of government institutions or government-aided organizations.
- Take notes, extracts, or certified copies of documents and records.
- Obtain certified samples of materials.
- Access information stored in electronic formats, including computers and similar systems.
- Receive copies of information in the form of printouts, floppy disks, CDs, tapes, video cassettes, or other electronic media.
To facilitate the implementation of the Act, Public Information Officers (PIOs) and Assistant Public Information Officers (APIOs) have been designated in all government offices.
Public Information Officers
Grama Panchayat
- Public Information Officer (PIO): Secretary, Grama Panchayat
- Assistant Public Information Officer (APIO): Head Clerk
Appellate Authority
- Assistant Director
- Office of the Joint Director
- Civil Station, Palakkad
State Public Information Officer and Appellate Authority
| Sl. No. | State Public Information Officer | Appellate Authority |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bala Arun K. B. Secretary Phone: +91 94960 47160 | Manoj S. Assistant Director Office of the Joint Director Civil Station, Palakkad Phone: 0491-2505155 |
Fee Structure
Fees Payable for Obtaining Information and Documents under the RTI Act
As per Section 7(1)
- Information supplied on A4-size paper: ₹3 per page
- Information supplied on larger-size paper: Actual cost
- Samples and models: Actual cost/value
- Inspection of records:
- First one hour: Free of charge
- Thereafter: ₹10 for every additional 30 minutes or part thereof
As per Section 7(5)
- Information provided in electronic formats such as CDs, floppy disks, etc.: ₹75 per item
- Information provided in printed form: ₹3 per page
This Act serves as an important tool for ensuring transparency, accountability, and good governance by enabling citizens to access information relating to the functioning of public authorities.