Rules for implementation of RTI Act: Rajyasabha Q&A

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-179 by SHRI M.P. ACHUTHAN

ANSWERED ON-09.08.2012 by

(a) Sections 27 and 28 of the RTI Act, 2005 empower the appropriate Governments and the competent authorities respectively to make rules to carry out the provisions of the Act. State Governments and High Courts have prescribed their own rules under the above provisions.

(b) The 2nd Administrative Reforms Commission in its 1st report titled ‘Right to Information: Master Key to Good Governance’ had inter-alia recommended that States may be required to frame Rules regarding application fee which are in harmony with the Central Rules. It needs to be ensured that the fee itself does not become a disincentive. Accordingly, the Central Government vide its communication No. 1/5/2011-IR dated 26.04.2011 has requested the Chief Secretaries of all the States/UTs, where the Act is applicable, the Registrars of all the High Courts and the Registrar of the Supreme Court to review their Fee Rules and to prescribe fee in consonance with the fee prescribed by the Government of India.

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