J&K RTI Act. 2009.

1. RIGHT TO INFORMATION
ACT, 2009 (RTI)
Act No. VIII of 2009
Presented by: Zaahir Salam

2. Objectives
 To set out a practical regime of right to information for citizens of
the state.
 To secure access to information under the control of public
authorities.
 To promote transparency and accountability in the working of every
public authority.
 To contain corruption.
 To increase citizens awareness and ability to exercise their other
rights.
 To equip them to participate meaningfully in the development
process.
2

3.  The Jammu & Kashmir Right to Information Act, 2009, enacted by
Jammu and Kashmir State legislature
Vide Act No. VIII of 2009; dated 20th March 2009.
repealing and replacing the erstwhile Jammu & Kashmir Right to
Information Act, 2004 and the Jammu & Kashmir Right to Information
(Amendment) Act, 2008.
 The Act is based closely upon the Central Right to Information Act,
2005.
 It is intended to provide citizens of the state of Jammu and
Kashmir with a legal mandate mechanism for obtaining government
records.
3

4. 44
5Chapters,28Sections
S
T
R
U
C
T
U
R
E
Chapter I Preliminary; Section 1 & 2
Chapter III The State Information Commission;
Section 12 to 14
Chapter IV Powers and Functions of the
Information Commission, Appeal and
Penalties; Section 15 to 17
Chapter V Miscellaneous; Section 18 to 28
Chapter II Right to Information and obligations of
public Authorities; Section 3 to 11

5.  J & K RTI extends to the whole of Jammu and Kashmir and it has
come into force at once. Section 1(2,3)
 J&K RTI Act 2009 is even applicable to the Central Government
Department falling under the territorial Jurisdiction of J & K State.
 The Central RTI Act 2005 is not Applicable to the offices,
department under the authority of J & K Govt.
5

6. 6
Structure for implementation of Act
State Central
Appellate
CPIO
CAPIO
Public Authority
Appellate
SPIO
SAPIO
Public Authority
Central
Information
Commission
State
Information
Commission
PAsPAs
Transparency
Officer
Transparency
Officer

7. Definitions-In this Act
 "competent authority" means-
i. the Speaker in the case of the Legislative Assembly of the State
and the Chairman in the case of the Legislative Council of the
State;
ii. the Chief Justice of the High Court in the case of the High Court ;
iii. the Governor in the case of other authorities established or
constituted by or under the Constitution of India or the
Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir.
Section 2 (b)
7

8. 8
"information" means any material in any form, including
 records
 documents
 memos
 e-mails
 opinions
 advices
 press releases
 circulars
 orders
 logbooks
 contracts
 reports
 papers
 samples
 models
 data material held in any electronic
form and
 information relating to any private
body which can be accessed by a
public authority under any other law
for the time being in force.
Section 2 (d)
Question asked in SAFC Exam

9.  "record" includes –
(a) any document, manuscript and file;
(b) any microfilm, microfiche and facsimile copy of a document;
(c) any reproduction of image or images embodied in such
microfilm (whether enlarged or not); and
(d) any other material produced by a computer or any other
device.
 right to information" means the right to information accessible
under this Act which is held by or under the control of any public
authority and includes the right to–
(i) inspection of work, documents, records;
(ii) taking notes, extracts or certified copies of documents or
records;
(iii) taking certified samples of material;
(iv) obtaining information in the form of diskettes, floppies, tapes,
video cassettes or in any other electronic mode or through
printouts where such information is stored in a computer or in
any other device.
9

10. 10
"third party"
means– a person other than the citizen making a request for
information and includes a public authority.
“Public authority"
means any authority or body or institution of self-government
established or constituted by or under the Constitution of India or the
Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir; Section 2 (f)
 Public Information Officer:
The Public Information officer is officer designated by a Public
Authority to provide Information to an applicant, Every Public Authority shall
designate as many PIOs in an Administrative Department or office as
necessary to provide information.
Section 5 (1)
 Role and Responsibility of PIO:
The officer i.e Public Information officer cannot say no to receive RTI
Application in fact he has to render all reasonable assistance to the applicant.
Section 6 (1)

11. Application procedure and language
 An RTI applicant can submit his application through post/self or
even via electronic means. Section 6(1)
 An RTI application can be in English, Urdu or Hindi Language, it can
be typed/handwritten. Section 6(1)
 PIO cannot ask the applicant any personal question, like his
intention or motive for seeking information, his job, family etc.
Section 6(2)
 PIO has to Accept RTI application even if it is not related to his
department. Section 6(3)
 The PIO cannot reject an RTI application without citing the valid
exemption clauses and that too the rejection order is to be given in
writing. Section 7(1)
11

12. 12
 Provide the Information to the applicant in the format in which it is
sought. Section 7(9)
 Failure in providing or silence on any RTI application more than 30
days shall be deemed as refusal. Section 7(2)
 The PIO may seek assistance of any other officers, if he considers it
necessary for furnishing the Information. Section 5(4)
 The officer, who assistance is sought by the PIO is under obligation
to render assistance and he shall also be treated as PIO.
Section 5(4) & Section 17

13. 13
Prescribed Fees
 Accept the initial RTI fees of Rs. 10/- in shape of Indian Postal
Order, Demand Draft, Bankers Cheque or Cash receipt
Rule 3 of J & K RTI Rules
Material cost to be paid by applicant (photocopy, CD, sample etc.)
Rs. 2 per A4/A3 page
inspection of documents- no fee for first hour, Rs. 5 for every subsequent
hour or fraction thereof.
Rs. 50 for CD.
 No fees to be charged from the person belonging to BPL Category.
Section 7 (5)
 PIO has to Intimate the applicant for additional fees for supplying
the information along with the calculations, his right to review
decision and particulars of the appellate authority.
Section 7,3 (a,b)

14. 14
 An RTI applicant has the right to inspection of work, documents,
records, he can take notes, extracts or certified copies of documents,
can also take certified samples.
Section 2,i(I,II,III)
 An RTI applicant can obtain information in the form of diskettes,
floppies, tapes, videos cassettes or in any other electronic or through
printout. Section 2,I (IV)
Modes
 No fees can be charged from the applicant where the information is
not provided within 30 days. Section 7(6)

15. 1515
Disposal of Request
Time limit for giving information 30 days
If information concerns life and
liberty of a person
must be given within 48 hrs
If information is given by third
party then invite objections if
any
add 10 extra days
No action on application for 30
days
deemed refusal

16. 16
Every public authority shall –
 maintain all its records duly catalogued and indexed in a manner and
the form which facilitates the right to information under this Act and
ensure that all records that are appropriate to be computerized are,
within a reasonable time and subject to availability of resources,
computerized and connected through a network all over the country
on different systems so that access to such records is facilitated.
 publish all relevant facts……………….decisions…… affecting public.
 constant endeavour of every public authority to take steps….to
provide as much information suo motu to the public at regular
intervals through various means of communications, including
internet, so that the public have minimum resort to the use of this
Act to obtain information.
 to appoint CAPIO/SAPIO to receive applications/appeals and forward
the same to CPIO/SPIO or CIC/SIC.
Obligation of Public Authority Section 4

17. 17
 Privilege
The Information which cannot be denied to the Parliament or
the State Legislature shall not be denied to any person.
Section, 8(i)
 Exemptions
Certain kind of information cannot be provided under RTI Act.
Section, 8(i)
 Affecting sovereignty, integrity, security, strategic, scientific or
economic, or other interests of the State.
 Relation with foreign state or leading to incitement of
an offence;
 Forbidden by courts;
 Affecting privilege of Parliament or Legislature;
 cabinet papers, till after the decision has been taken, and the
matter is complete, or over:
 Personal information which would cause invasion of the privacy
unless larger public interest justifies it.

18. 18
 Commercial confidence, trade secrets or intellectual property,
unless larger public interest so warrants;
 received in confidence from foreign government;
 Endangers life or physical safety or identifies confidential source
of information or assistance Impedes the process of investigation
or apprehension.
After 20 Years…..
 Most exempt information released after 20 years. Notwithstanding
anything a public authority may allow access to information, if
public interests in disclosure outweighs the harm to the protected
interests.
Certain Organizations, departments are kept out of the ambit
of RTI
In J & K State only CID is kept out
under section 21

19. 19
Constitution of State Information Commission
 The State Information Commission shall consist of-
(a) the State Chief Information Commissioner; and'
(b) two State Information Commissioners . Section 12(2)
 The State Chief Information Commissioner and the State Information
Commissioners shall be appointed by the Governor on the
recommendation of a committee consisting of-
(a) the Chief Minister, who shall be the Chairperson of the committee ;
b) the Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly ; and
(c) a Cabinet Minister to be nominated by the Chief Minister.
Section 12 (3)
 The State Chief Information Commissioner and the State Information
Commissioners shall be persons of eminence in public life with wide
knowledge and experience in law, science and technology, social
service, management, journalism, mass media or administration and
governance. Section 12(5)

20. 20
 The State Chief Information Commissioner or a State Information
Commissioner shall not be a Member of Parliament or Member of
the Legislature of any State or Union territory, as the case may be,
or hold any other office of profit or connected with any political
party or carrying on any business or pursuing any profession.
Section 12(6)
 Every Chief /State Information Commissioner shall hold office for a
term of five years from the date on which he enters upon his office
or till he attains the age of sixty-five years, whichever is earlier. and
shall not be eligible for reappointment as such Chief/State
Information Commissioner. Section 13 (2)
 Provided further that where the State Information Commissioner is
appointed as the State Chief Information Commissioner. his term of
office shall not be more than five years in aggregate as the State
Information Commissioner and the State Chief Information
Commissioner. Section 13 (2)

21. 21
 The state chief Information commissioner or a state Information
commissioner shall be removed from his office only by Order of the
Governor on the ground of proved misbehaviour or incapacity after
the High Court' on a reference made to it by the Governor , has on
inquiry, reported that the State Chief Information Commissioner or
a State Information Commissioner, as the case may be, ought on
such ground be removed. Section 14(1)

22. 22
Powers and function of Information Commissions – appeals
and penalties.
Functions :
1. Receive and inquire in to complaints of:
a. who has not been able to file because PIO is not appointed ,
b. on refusals;
c. not responded;
d. unreasonable fee;
e. incomplete or misleading information etc,.
f. Any other matter
2. Initiate inquiry if reasonable grounds exist.
3. It enjoys the same powers as that of civil courts such as; Enforce
attendance; inspection of documents; receiving evidence in
affidavit; Requesting any public record; issuing summons etc,.
4. Examine any records and such records shall not be withheld.
Section 15

23. 2323
APPEALS: Section 16
Internal
First appeal to the officer immediately senior to Public Information
Officer within 30 days of decision.
Appeal to be disposed of within a period of 30 days extendable upto a
total of 45 days.
External
Second appeal to CIC/SIC within 90 days of decision of Appellate
Authority.
(In both the appeals onus to justify denial of request shall be on the PIO.
Decision of the CIC/SIC is final and binding.)
PENALTIES: Section 17
The CIC/SCIC shall impose a penalty of Rs. 250/- per day
Total amount will not exceed Rs 25,000 for–
Not furnishing information in 30 days.
Misleading the applicant.
Providing wrong information.
Not publishing information suo motu.
Not computerizing data and uploading on website.
CIC/SIC empowered to impose penalty on PIO. They can also
recommend disciplinary action against an erring PIO.

24. 24
Section 18.Protection of action taken in good faith
Section 19. Act to have overriding effect
Section 20. Bar of Jurisdiction.
Section 21. Act not to apply to certain organizations.
Section 22. Monitoring and Reporting.
Section 23. Govt. to prepare programmes.
Section 24. Power to make rules by Govt.
Section 25. Power to make rules by Competent Authorities.
Section 26. Laying of rules before Parliament.
Section 27. Power to remove difficulties
Section 28. Repeal and Saving

25. 25
THANK YOU