‘Be specific while seeking info under RTI Act'

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Be specific to the extent possible when seeking information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, the State Information Commission has reminded the public.

The Commission had noticed certain problems in the whole exercise of asking for and providing information.

 These are the things to keep in mind when preparing your request.

Number each document that you require under the Act.

Be brief as possible. Avoid long-winding explanations or irrelevant details.

Seeking a compiled report of the information or asking the information officer to fill in a prepared format is against the rules.

 The Act empowers the public to examine or get attested copies of files,  documents and registers in the possession of public institutions.

Court Fee Stamp and Treasury Chalan will be accepted as application fee only in State Government offices.

In public sector units and Central Government institutions, the fee should be remitted directly or through DD/cheque.

 Applicants hailing from the BPL category should enclose certificate issued by the Corporation or Municipal

Secretary or the Block Development Officer for getting a fee exemption.

Ration cards will not be accepted.

 Your subsequent appeals should not seek information different from the one asked for in your original application. ``The cardinal rule is that be specific to the extent possible.

That will be ideal for both sides - the person seeking the information and the person giving it - and also the Information Commission,’’ State Chief Information Commissioner Palat Mohandas said.

``We had also noticed appellants including caustic and nasty remarks in their appeals,’’ he said.