RTI goes online, filing petition a click away

NEW DELHI, INDIA: The Right to Information Act, 2005 which mandates timely response to citizens requests for government information, has now gone online.

Citizens of India can now file requests for government information under the RTI Act by accessing a new portal- http://rtionline.gov.in/.

The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), that is responsible for the implementation of the RTI Act has launched the website. The filing of RTI applications online will make the filing of RTI applications more convenient as it will eliminate the need to visit offices to file an application.

The facility is in the pilot phase and the DoPT is only participant in this phase. The facility will be rolled out at all ministries and departments situated in New Delhi. After that, a nationawide rollout of the facility will be planned.

Apart from filing requests online, citizens can also pay an application fee of Rs. 10 through online banking. After filing an application, a unique registration number will be given to each application which can be used by the citizens to check the status of their requests.

The system which aims to reduce the paperwork will not be able to generate replies to citizens requests online. As the ministry requires some more time to understand the new system, the electronic replies via the portal is expected to begin in six months.