Are the foreign nationals accessing information under RTI Act?
30 Jun, 2013
The Chief Minister of Goa has issued a circular asking all public information officers (PIOs) not to provide information to any foreign nationals under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
The circular was issued in the light of revelation that some foreign nationals succeeded in acquiring information from the government authorities and subsequently filed cases in courts of law against the government. The chief minister also asked the information officers to provide details of the foreigners who sought information under RTI Act.
The chief minister said that the PIOs must confirm the nationality of information seekers by way of examining even the photo copy of any document or identity card that proves the nationality of the applicant. As per the section 3 of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, only a citizen of India can file an application to seek information.