PIO AND FAA TAKING NO COGNISANCE OF DUTY AND RESPONSIBILITY UNDER SECTION 19(6) OF THE RTI ACT, 2005 , EVEN THE SIC DEFUNCT AND OFFICERS OF COMMISSION ARE IDLE SINCE LONG.

It is directed to say that the PIO of a public authority is responsible to supply correct and complete information to the information seeker under the Right to Information Act, 2005,within the specified time. It is possible that a public information officer may not act as per provisions of the Act or an Applicant may not other wise be satisfied with the decision of the public information officer. The contains the provisions of the two appeals to tide over such situations. While the first appeal lies within the public authority itself, the second appeal lies with the State Information Commission or the central information commission, as the case may be. The State information commission (Appeal Procedure) Rules, 2005 govern the procedure for deciding appeals by the Commission. The first appellate authority is, however, required to dispose of the appeals received by him in the light of the provisions of the Act and keeping in view the principles of natural justice, a guide has been prepared for the first appellate authorities, it is expected that it would help them to perform their duties effectively. It is therefore necessary for the first appellate authorities to supply correct and complete information within the specified time to any person seeking information under the RTI act, 2005 . The first appeal lies within the public authority itself, which is made to an officer designated as the first appellate authority by the concerned public authority. The first appellate authority happens to be an officer senior in rank to the public information officer and the second appeal lies with the State information commission. The state information commission (Appeal Procedure) Rules, 2005 govern the procedure for deciding appeals by the Commission. In order to perform his /her duties effectively, the appellate authority should study the Act carefully and understand its provisions correctly and the said document must explain the important aspects of the Act, which a first appellate authority should, in particular, be conversant with :-- Er Fateh chand Guleria, Director RTI welfare Association registered number HPCD, 3552 , Bilaspur Himachal pradesh phone number, 9459334377