Can RTI application be filed in Urdu language?
21 Jun, 2012Background
The appellant filed the RTI application with the Office of the Chief Minister, Delhi in Urdu language. The Public Information Officer (PIO) transferred the application to the Art, Culture and Language Department whose PIO replied to the applicant. During the hearing, the appellant complained that the PIO of the Office of the Chief Minister, Delhi had returned his RTI application (in Urdu) on the ground that the Office of the Chief Minister, Delhi did not have any Urdu Translator. He called this act of the PIO as improper and against the spirit of the RTI Act and demanded that maximum penalty should be imposed on the PIO of Office of the Chief Minister, Delhi for this.
View of CIC
The Central Information Commission (CIC) observed that the PIO had not withheld any information deliberately. The Commission also noted that it was just a practical difficulty being faced by the PIO on account of which he had returned the RTI application with a suggestion that the same may be submitted in Hindi or English language. The Commission recommended the Office of the Chief Minister, Delhi to take necessary steps to avoid such complaints from citizens. The Commission also directed the PIO of the Art Culture and Language Dept, who attended the meeting to serve the order to the PIO, Office of the Chief Minister, Delhi.
Citation: Mr. Kudrattullah Khan v. Art, Culture and Language Department, Government of NCT in File No. CIC/AD/C/2012/000578
RTI Citation : RTIFI/2012/CIC/404
Click here to view original RTI order of Court / Information Commission