REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON SUO MOTU DISCLOSURE UNDER SECTION 4 OF THE RTI ACT, 2005 ISSUES BY THE DoP&T TO EXAMINE THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMMITTEE

The purpose of suo motu disclosures under section 4 is to place large amount of information in public domain on a proactive basis to make the functioning of the public authorities more transparent and also to reduce the need for filing individual RTI applications. Section 4 (1) (b) of the RTI Act lays down the information which should be disclosed by the public authorities on a suo motu or proactive basis. Section 4(2) and section 4(3) prescribe the method of dissemination of this information. Further more the promulgation of the Act in, 2005 large amount of information relating to the functioning of the Government is being put in public domain. However the quality and quantity of proactive disclosure is not up to the desired level. It was felt that the weak implementation of the section 4 of the RTI Act is partly due to the fact that certain provisions of this section have not been fully detailed and, in case of certain other provisions, there is need for laying down detailed guidelines. Further there is need to set up a compliance mechanism to ensure that requirements under section 4 of the RTI Act are met. In order to address the above, Government of India constituted a Task force on suo motu disclosure under the RTI Act, 2005 in May, 2011 which included representatives of the civil society organisations Active in the field of right to information, for strengthening the compliance with provisions for suo motu or proactive disclosure as given in the section 4 of the RTI act, 2005 . Based on the report of the Task Force, the Government have decided to issue guidelines for suo motu disclosure under section 4 of the RTI act, 2005 . (a) Suo motu disclosure of more items under section 4(b) Guidelines for digital publication of proactive disclosure under section 4.(c) Detailing of section 4(1) (b) (iii) , 4(1) (b) (iv) , 4(1) (b) (xi) and 4(1) (b) (xiv) (d) Compliance mechanism for suo motu disclosure (proactive disclosure) under the RTI. Act, 2005.Keeping in view the above guidelines of the disclosure under section 4 , it should be presented in a form that is easily understood and if the technical words are used, they should be carefully explained. As provided in section 4 , disclosure should be made in as many mediums as feasible and disclosures should be kept up to date. The disclosure of information may be made keeping in view the provisions of sections 8to 11 of the RTI Act. The above guidelines may be brought to the notice of all for compliance:-- Er Fateh chand Guleria, Director RTI welfare Association registered number HPCD, 3552 Bilaspur Himachal pradesh phone number, 9459334377