Guide to draft a RTI

Drafting a good RTI application can be as easy as writing a simple leave letter. As long as the applicant knows the basics of the RTI Act 2005, drafting an application, requesting for information from any public authority, is little more than child’s play.

1. Pre-requisites:

Your full name and address have to mentioned in the application. If you so wish, you can also mention your telephone number and email id, although this is optional.

Have ready information about the Public Information Officer (PIO), his designation, address etc. In case you have problems locating your PIO/APIO you can address your RTI application to the PIO C/o Head of Department and send it to the concerned Public Authority with the requisite application fee. The Head of Department will have to forward your application to the concerned PIO.

Do not address your RTI application to the PIO by his name, just in case he gets transferred or a new PIO is designated in his place.

2. Preparing to draft a RTI application:

a) Carefully read Sections 2(f), 2(i) and 2(j) of the RTI Act, which define the “information”, “record” and “right to information”. Your request for information should contain as many words as possible form these three basic definitions.

b) Read the relevant RTI Rules (either for the Centre, State or Courts) which are applicable to the public authority from whom you seek information. These rules will indicate the quantum of fees, the mode of payment of fees, any special application format to be followed, etc. Follow these RTI rules to the letter “T”.

c) Remember to always use a white sheet of paper to write an application. Use of note sheet or the Court stamp paper should be avoided. Use of letter head for asking information can also be made. However avoid using your official designation or title and simple sign with your name. The RTI application can be either written by hand or typed. There is no compulsion of typing the content. The application should be easy to read and well legible.

3. Why do you need the information ?

First, ask yourself why you need the information ? Unless you have an answer to this question, there is no point in requesting for the information in the first place. What is the issue you are facing ? What information needs to be asked to help in getting the issue resolved ? A good indication is the preamble of the RTI Act which states that three main objectives of the Act are:

- Increase Transparency in the functioning of the Government
- Hold the Government accountable for its actions or inaction
- Reduce corruption

If your application seeks information which covers these objectives, then there is little chance of it being rejected.

4. What will you do with the “information”, once you get it ?

Now that you know why you need the information, you need to also decide what will you do with the information, once you get it. Are you going to get it published in the media, will you use it in a court case, is it for furthering your case in your office, is it to get some wrong corrected ? The answers to these questions will help you decide what exact information to ask for as well as in what form to request the information. For example, if you want to use the documents obtained under RTI in a court case, it is advisable to ask for “certified copies”. If you want to give media coverage to a particular issue, then you must ask for information on a current issue of larger public interest.

5. Ask for only “information” !

Try to draft an RTI application that DOES NOT disclose the overall nature of the problem in your mind. It MUST NOT give a glimpse of what you intend to do with the requested information e.g. register police complaints, approach investigating agencies, file a PIL etc. Also, your RTI application MUST NOT indicate how badly you want the information, and therefore, please don’t mention anything such as “I am a senior citizen dependent on my pension cheques, and I have been pushed from pillar-to-post in search