RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT, 2005

Chapter # 1

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND

The Right to Information Act 2005 provides effective access to information for citizens of India, which is under the control of the public authorities. It promotes transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority. It extends to the whole of India except the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Government of India resolved that in order to ensure greater and more effective access to information, it is required that the Freedom of Information Act, 2002 must be made more progressive, participatory and meaningful. On this issue National Advisory Council suggested certain important changes to be incorporated in the said Act to ensure smoother and greater access to information. After examining the suggestions of the National Advisory Council and others the Government decided to make number of changes in the law. In view of the significant changes proposed by the National Advisory Council and others, it was decided to repeal the Freedom of Information Act, 2002 and enact another law for providing an effective framework for effectuating the right of information recognized under Article 19 of the Constitution of India. To achieve this object, the Right to Information Bill was introduced in the Parliament.

The Right to Information Bill, 2005 was passed by the Lok Sabha on 11th May, 2005 and by the Rajya Sabha on 12th May, 2005 and it received the assent on 15th June, 2005. It came on the Statute Book as THE RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT, 2005 (22 of 2005).

OBJECTIVE

In order to ensure greater and more effective access to information, the Government resolved that the Freedom of Information Act, 2002 enacted by the Parliament needs to be made more progressive, participatory and meaningful. The National Advisory Council deliberated on the issue and suggested certain important changes to be incorporated in the existing Act to ensure smoother and greater access to information. The examined the and others and.

After examining the suggestions made by the National Advisory Council,  the Government decided to make a number of changes in the law. The important changes proposed to be incorporated, inter alia, include establishment of an appellate machinery with investigating powers to review decisions of the Public Information Officers; penal provisions for failure to provide information as per law; provisions to ensure maximum disclosure and minimum exemptions, consistent with the constitutional provisions, and effective mechanism for access to information and disclosure by authorities, etc.

INTENDED USERS OF THE INFORMATION

The information provided in the following pages is meant for general public interested in the field of Instrumentation – recent developments and its status at one of the most important custodian laboratory of India.

ORGANIZATION OF THE INFORMATION

Organization of the information in the following pages has been made under the following headings:

< Particulars of organization, functions and duties

< Powers and duties of officers and employees

< Rules, regulations, instructions, manuals and records for discharging functions

< Particulars of any arrangements that exists for consultation with, or representation by, the members of the public in relation to the formulation of its policy or implementation thereof

< A statement of the categories of documents that are held by it or under its control

< A statement of the boards, councils, committees and other bodies constituted as its part

< The names, designations and other particulars of the Public Information Officers

< Procedure followed in Decision Making Process

< Directory of officers and employees

o Scientific Staff

o Technical Staff

o Administrative Staff

< The monthly remuneration received by each of its officers and employees, including the  system of compensation as provided in regulations

< The budget allocated to each agency

< The manner of execution of subsidy programmes

< Particulars of recipients of concessions, permits or authorizations granted by it

< Norms set by it for discharge of functions

< Information available in an electronic form

< Particulars of the facilities available to citizens for obtaining information

< Other useful information

DEFINITIONS

“Information” means any material in any form, including records, documents, memos, e-mails, opinions, advices, press releases, circulars, orders, logbooks, contracts, reports, papers, samples, models, data material held in any electronic form and information relating to any private body which can be accessed by a public authority under any other law for the time being in force.

“Record” includes—

(i)      Any document, manuscript and file;

(ii)     Any microfilm, microfiche and facsimile copy of a document;

(iii)    Any reproduction of image or images embodied in such microfilm (whether enlarged or not).

“Right to information” means the right to information accessible under this Act which is held by or is under the control of any public authority and includes the right to—

(i)      Inspection of work, documents, records;

(ii)     Taking notes, extracts, or certified copies of documents or records;

(iii)    Taking certified samples of material;

(iv)    Obtaining information in the form of diskettes, floppies, tapes, video cassettes or in any other electronic mode or through

printouts where such information is stored in a computer or in any other device.

“Third party” means a person other than the citizen making a request for information and includes a public authority.

“Central Information Commission” means the Central Information Commission constituted under sub-section (1) of section 12.

CONTACT PERSON(S)

In case somebody wants to get more information on topics covered here as well as other information related to CSIO, he/she may contact any PIO/APIO mentioned under the heading “Names, designations and other particulars of Public Information Officers”.

PROCEDURE FOR GETTING INFORMATION

A person, who desires to obtain any information under this Act, shall make a request in writing or through electronic means in prescribed form (obtained from CSIO or downloaded from website) in English or Hindi, accompanying such fee as given below, to the Public Information Officer or Assistant Public Information Officer specifying the particulars of the information sought by him or her. The applicant making request for information shall not be required to give any reason for requesting the information.

Information will be provided to the requesting person within 30 days of the receipt of the request with fee (this means date of receipt of request will be assumed as the date of realization of cheque if fee is deposited by cheque). If the information sought for concerns the life or liberty of a person, the same shall be provided within 48 hours. If any further fee is required to meet the cost of document etc, it will be intimated to the requester.

In case information is rejected, requester will be intimated about:

(i)    The reason for the rejection

(ii)   The period within which an appeal against such rejection may be made to the appellate authority and

(iii)  The particulars of the Appellate Authority.

FEE STRUCTURE FOR GETTING INFORMATION

A request for obtaining information shall be accompanied by an application fee of Rs. 10/- by way of cash against proper receipt or by demand draft or bankers cheque or Indian Postal Order payable to the Director, CSIO, Chandigarh.

If copy of a document is to be supplied (hard form/CD/diskette) or inspection of records is requested, the fee shall be charged by way of cash against proper receipt or by demand draft or bankers cheque or Indian Postal Order payable to the Director, CSIO, Chandigarh at the following rates:

a)    Rupees two for each page (in A-4 or A-3 size paper) created or copied;

b)    Actual charge or cost price of a copy in larger size paper;

c)    Actual cost or price for samples or models;

d)    Rs. 50/- per diskette or floppy;

e)    For information provided in printed form at the price fixed for such publication or Rs 2/- per page

of photocopy for extracts from the publications;

f)     For inspection of records, no fee for the first hour; and a fee of rupees five for each subsequent

hour (or fraction thereof).

Abbreviations used in this document

CoA                   :           Controller of Administration

CoF&A              :           Controller of Finance and Accounts
CoSP                :           Controller of Stores and Purchase

AO                     :           Administrative Officer

SPO                  :           Store and Purchase Officer

SO                     :           Section Officer

SO (G)              :           Section Officer (General)

SO (R)              :           Section Officer (Recruitment)

SO (Vig)           :           Section Officer (Vigilance)

SO (Est)           :           Section Officer (Establishment)

DU                    :           Decision Unit

S&M                 :           Service and Maintenance

PTID                 :           Planning and Technical Information

BD                    :           Business Development