MYSORE: Mysore Grahakara Parishat (MGP) has said that the rules gazetted by the State Government on the Right to Information Act are not people-friendly.

In a press release issued here on Wednesday, A. Chandrashekarappa of the MGP said the Act states that the fees to be charged should be reasonable. But the fees prescribed by the rules are on higher side tending to discourage the public.

Application fee

It said the application fee of Rs. 10 to secure information is not necessary and pointed out that the cost of information fixed at Rs. 2 a page is high while a photocopy costs only Re 1 a page. Similarly, the cost of a floppy or CD is stated to be Rs. 50 while the best quality of CD costs only Rs. 10 or Rs. 20.

Commenting on the provision that persons certified to be below the poverty line be exempted from the application and copying fees, the MGP pointed out that the intention of the exemption may be good, but it will certainly encourage people to exploit this provision by applying in the name of a person living below the poverty line.

In a bid to enlighten the public about the right to secure information from the authorities and to motivate them to participate in the democratic process, the MGP said any individual can submit an application in Kannada, English or Hindi in form A which asks for name, address, details of the information wanted, the year to which the information pertains, name and address of the public information officer (PIO) from whom the information is sought along with Rs. 10 to the PIO concerned. The PIO is bound to give an acknowledgment for the application and to send an intimation of the cost of providing information if you pay this cost. Further, the PIO is bound to give information within a maximum of 30 days from the date of the application.

In case the PIO does not receive the application or delays giving information or refuses to give information with no good reason or knowingly gives wrong information, the public can complain to the State Information Commission (R. No. 302, 3rd Floor, Vidhana Soudha, Bangalore 560001) or the Central Information Commission (Block No. 4, 5th Floor, Old JNU Campus, New Delhi 110067). It was pointed out that the Right to Information Act also empowers individuals to inspect records and documents and the first one hour of inspection is free and the rules prescribe a fee of Rs. 20 for every subsequent half hour.

Penalties

Under the Act, there are penalties if PIOs do not receive applications from the public, delay in giving information, refuse to give information with no good reason or knowingly give wrong information the penalty is Rs. 250 a day till the application is received or the right information is given.

Persistent offenders may be subject to further disciplinary action, the MGP pointed out. It expressed confidence that these penalties will enable the public to get the information they want expeditiously.

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