Right to Information Act 2005

The Government of India has enacted Right to Information Act 2005 to provide for setting out the practical regime of right to information for citizens to secure access to information under the control of Public Authorities in order to promote transparency and accountability in the working of any public authority.

The right to information includes an access to the information which is held by or under the control of any public authority and includes the right to:

• Inspect the work, document and records
• Take notes, extracts or certified copies of documents / records
• Take certified samples of the materials
• Obtain information which is also stored in electronic form

The Act provides under Sections 8 and 9, certain categories of information that are exempted from disclosure to the citizens. The public may also refer to the related sections of the Act before submitting a request for information.

Any citizen can request for information by making an application in writing or through electronic means in English / Hindi / official language of the area in which the application is being made, together with the prescribed fees.

Any public authority would designate Central Asst. Public Information Officer (CAPIO) at various levels, who will receive the requests for information from the public and necessary number of Central Public Information Officers (CPIO) in all administrative units / offices who will arrange for providing necessary information to the public as permitted under the law.

The public authorities are also required to designate authority(ies) senior in rank to CPIO, as Appellate Authorities, who will entertain and dispose off appeals against the decision of the CPIO as required under the Act.

The public can submit their written request / application for information to the CPIO designated as Central Public Information Officers by IREDA, the address of which is available on IREDA's website.