RTI Complaint or RTI Second Appeal? Which is more effective? Read this analysis and decide
RTI Appellants can use Section 18 to improve their chances of getting Public Information Officers (PIOs) penalized by sacrificing their demand for getting the requested information. A strictly legal interpretation of this section of Right to Information Act 2005 leaves the PIO and the public authority (and also the Information Commissioner) with relatively less room for escaping. Read section 18(3) with care. It says: “ The… Information Commission… shall, while inquiring into any matter under this section, have the same powers as are vested in a civil court while trying a suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, in respect of the following matters” Please note: Sec 18(3) confers the special civil-court-like powers only while enquiring into Complaints, and not while deciding on appeals under section 19. Check out this detailed comparison of Complaint and Appeal u/s Section 18 and 19: 1. SYSTEM REFORM versus GETTING INFORMATION u Comp...