Jurisdiction of Right to Information (RTI) Act

Right to Information Act is applicable to Public Authorities. A pubic authority means any authority or body or institution of self-government established or constituted (a) by or under the Constitution; (b) by any other law made by Parliament; (c) by any other law made by State Legislature; (d) by notification issued or order made by the appropriate Government and includes any – (i) body owned, controlled or substantially financed; (ii) non-Government organization substantially financed, directly or indirectly by funds provided by the appropriate Government. 

Further, as per Section 2(f) of the Act, information relating to any private body, which can be accessed by public authority under any other law for the time being in force, is already within the purview of the RTI Act, 2005.

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 1873

1873 . Dr. SANJAY SINH
JADHAV PRATAPRAO GANPATRAO

Will the Minister of PERSONNEL,PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the private electricity distribution companies, engaged in the power sector, are out of the jurisdiction of the RTI Act;

(b) if so, the reasons therefor and the reaction of the Government thereto; and

(c) the reasons behind keeping such public utility institutions/organisations out of the jurisdiction of the RTI Act?

Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office. (SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY)

(a) to (c):  *** see above ***

Source: Lok Sabha Q&A