Right to information activists noticed that the record of their previous applications have disappeared in the hundreds in the hundreds from the RTIOnline portal, which allows citizens to file for access to public RTI Portal

information from the Union Government.

The Right to Information (RTI) Portal is a government initiative in in India, that provides citizens with the right to access information held by public authorities.

The RTI Act allows citizens to request information from government organizations and agencies to promote transparency and accountability.

In India, the RTI Act was enacted in 2005, and the RTI Portal is an online platform where individuals can submit their RTI requests, track the status of their requests, and access information that has been disclosed under the Act. The portal facilitates the process of filing and managing RTI applications and appeals.

The Right to Information (RTI) Act in India is a landmark legislation that empowers citizens to access information held by public authorities.

It promotes transparency, accountability, and participatory governance.

The RTI Act was enacted by the Parliament of India in 2005 and came into effect on October 12, 2005.

Applicability: The Act applies to all government bodies at the central, state, and local levels, as well as non-governmental organizations that receive substantial government funding.

Request for Information: Any citizen of India can submit a request for information to a public authority. The request can be made in writing, electronically, or orally. The public authority is required to respond within 30 days (or 48 hours in cases involving life or liberty).

Scope of Information: The Act allows citizens to seek information on various matters such as government policies, decisions, projects, expenditures, and more. However, certain categories of information, such as matters affecting national security, trade secrets, and personal information, are exempt from disclosure.

Fees: A nominal fee is charged for submitting a request for information. The fee varies depending on the nature of the request and the mode of submission.

Appeals: If the information requested is denied, the applicant has the right to file an appeal. The first appeal is made to a higher authority within the same public authority. If the appeal is not satisfactorily addressed, a second appeal can be made to the Information Commission.

Information Commission: Each state and union territory in India has a State Information Commission (SIC) responsible for hearing appeals and complaints related to the RTI Act. At the central level, there is the Central Information Commission (CIC).

Penalties and Remedies: The Act provides for penalties to be imposed on public information officers who fail to provide information or deliberately provide false information. It also allows for compensation to be awarded to applicants who have been denied their right to information.

Promotion of Transparency: Public authorities are required to proactively disclose certain categories of information on their websites, even without receiving a specific RTI request.

The RTI Act has played a significant role in promoting transparency and accountability in the functioning of government bodies. It has empowered citizens to access information and hold public authorities accountable for their actions and decisions.

Discuss the features of the RTI Act.