Context:
Cooperative societies do not fall under ambit of RTI Act, rules Madras High Court
RTI Act, 2005:
- Sets out practical regime for citizens to access information under the control of public authorities to promote transparency and accountability.
- Implicit in the right to freedom of speech and expression explicitly guaranteed in Article 19 of Indian Constitution
Key provisions:
- Provides for appointment of Public Information Officers (PIOs), Central and State Information Commissions, etc.
- Section 4 of the RTI Act requires suo motu disclosure of information by each public authority.
- Public Authority (PA) – Includes government bodies, state-controlled entities, and NGOs substantially financed directly or indirectly by central or state governments.
- Include time limit for providing information, suo motu disclosure of certain categories of information
- It requires the Public Information Officer to provide the information within 30 days of receipt of the request.
- If information sought concerns the life or liberty of a person, it shall be supplied within 48 hours.
- If a person does not receive a decision within 30 days or is aggrieved by a decision of the Public Information Officer, he may prefer an appeal to an Officer who is senior in rank to the Public Information Officer in that Public Authority.
- Section 8 of the Act exempts certain categories of information from disclosure.
- Exemptions under the Act – the information sought must not be related to defence, national security, or personal details.
- Political Parties are not part of RTI
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Question
‘Right to Privacy’ is protected under which Article of the Constitution of India?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2021 Prelims]
(a) Article 15
(b) Article 19
(c) Article 21
(d) Article 29
Answer: (c)
