Uttarakhand: Strict instructions from the State Information Commission, only common citizens can use RTI rights

The State Information Commission has made it clear in an important decision that only a common citizen has the right to seek information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, not in the name of any institution, union or organization. The commission gave this decision while hearing the appeal of Rudrapur resident Harendra Singh, who had sought information as the president of a union.

Common citizens can use RTI

Harendra Singh had filed an RTI application in the capacity of the president of Karolia Lighting Employees Union. When he did not get satisfactory information, he appealed. During the hearing in the commission, it was found that he had applied on the letterhead of the union from the address of the institution, while legally this is not valid.

State Information Commissioner Yogesh Bhatt said that the Right to Information Act gives the right to seek information only to the citizen of India, not to any organization or union. If any union official also wants to seek information, he will have to apply in his personal capacity.

Warning given to officials

The commission has also given a strict warning to the then Public Information Officer Arvind Saini and the departmental appellate officer for negligence in the matter. The commission said that both the officers did not follow the procedure of the RTI Act properly and disposed of the application without checking its validity.

The commission clarified that the process of appeal under the RTI Act is quasi-judicial and the officials should work with full responsibility in it. Also, the appellant has been asked to keep in mind in future that information can be sought only as a citizen and not for the institution.