Does it matter if the RTI application is signed by two individuals?
15 Jun, 2013Background
An application under the Right to Information (RTI) Act with the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) seeking information about the payment of minimum wages to the contractual employees at one Centre and the matters related there with. The Public Information Officer (PIO) refused to disclose any information to the appellant only on the ground that the RTI application was signed by two individuals.
View of CIC
The Central Information Commission (CIC) did not agree with the PIO observing that it did not matter whether information is sought by one individual or more than one. The CIC directed the PIO to provide the number of contractual labourers employed at that said Centre with the detail of wages given to labour by the contractor and also provide whether the contractor is contributing towards EPF and ESIC of the contractual labour. The CIC also added that it should be clarified that if the AIIMS did not have this information, then the PIO is required to seek this information from the contractors concerned and transmit the same to the appellant.
Comments
The eligibility for filing an application under the RTI Act has been defined under section 3 which describes that a citizen of India can file an applicaton. There is no bar against filing an application by more than one individual. However, if there is more than one address, the PIO can always raise a plea and send the information only to the first address.
Citation: Mr. Joginder Singh v. All India Institute of Medical Sciences in File No. CIC/LS/A/2013/000706
RTI Citation : RTIFI/2013/CIC/1367
Click here to view original RTI order of Court / Information Commission