Many Indian citizens write letters to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) with hopes of getting their issues addressed or their dreams realized. But what happens to these letters? Can you use the Right to Information (RTI) Act to find out if any action was taken on your correspondence? This case explores exactly that, offering valuable insights for anyone who has reached out to government offices with a personal request.
Background: What Information Was Sought
In this particular RTI case, the applicant had a dream: to become a script and dialogue writer for Bollywood. He had even written two films and wished for prominent figures like Aamir Khan and Arbaaz Khan to review his work. To pursue this, he wrote a letter to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). Following this, he filed an RTI application with the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. He wanted to know what action had been taken Ministry regarding the letter he had sent to the PMO. The Public Information Officer (PIO) of the Ministry responded that there was no scheme within the Ministry designed to provide assistance to aspiring scriptwriters.
How the Public Authority Responded
The Public Information Officer (PIO) of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, after receiving the RTI application, provided a response that essentially stated the Ministry’s limitations. The PIO clarified that their department does not have any schemes in place to support individuals who wish to become scriptwriters. This response implied that the applicant’s request, as channeled through the PMO letter and subsequently the RTI, was not something the Ministry could directly facilitate or act upon in the manner the applicant might have hoped.
The CIC Hearing: What Happened
When the case reached the Central Information Commission (CIC), the respondent (representing the Ministry) argued that the applicant was not actually seeking information as defined RTI Act. Instead, they contended that the applicant seemed to be expecting the PIO to forward his application or writings to institutes that might offer relevant courses. The respondent emphasized that such an action – forwarding personal creative work to other institutions – falls outside the scope and purpose of the RTI Act. The RTI Act is primarily for obtaining information held authorities, not for facilitating personal career advancements or forwarding personal documents.
The CIC Order and Its Significance
The Central Information Commission (CIC) carefully considered the arguments presented sides. The Commission agreed with the position taken PIO. They found that the applicant’s request, as interpreted through the lens of the RTI application, was not a legitimate request for information. The CIC concluded that the applicant was essentially seeking a service – the forwarding of his creative work – rather than seeking documented information that the public authority possessed. Consequently, the CIC dismissed the appeal, upholding the PIO’s decision. This ruling highlights a crucial distinction: the RTI Act is for seeking information, not for compelling public authorities to act as intermediaries or facilitators for personal pursuits.
Key Lessons for RTI Applicants
- Lesson 1: Understand the Purpose of RTI: The RTI Act is designed to empower citizens access to information held authorities. It is not a tool to compel public bodies to perform specific actions for you, such as forwarding your personal documents or acting as a career counselor.
- Lesson 2: Be Specific in Your Request: While the applicant had a clear personal goal, their RTI request was framed around finding out the “action taken” on their letter. The PIO interpreted this as a request for the Ministry to *take* action in a specific way, which they couldn’t. It’s important to clearly state what specific information you are seeking.
- Lesson 3: Know the Limitations of Public Authorities: Public authorities have defined roles and responsibilities. They are not obligated to assist individuals with personal career aspirations or to forward personal applications unless there’s a specific scheme or process that mandates it. The CIC’s decision reinforces these boundaries.
How to File a Similar RTI Application
- Identify the Correct Public Authority: Determine which government department or ministry is most likely to hold the information you seek. In this case, it was the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting regarding creative writing.
- Draft Your RTI Application Clearly: State your purpose for seeking information. If you’ve written to a high-level office like the PMO, you might want to seek information from the department that would typically handle such matters.
- Formulate Specific Questions: Instead of asking for general “action taken,” ask for specific details. For example, “Please provide details of any process or scheme available for aspiring scriptwriters,” or “Was my letter dated [date] to the PMO forwarded to any specific department for review or action? If so, please provide details of that action.”
- Pay the Application Fee: Ensure you pay the required fee as per RTI rules.
Sample RTI question you can use:
Please provide details of any official communication or action taken Ministry, pursuant to the letter dated [Date of your letter] addressed to the Prime Minister’s Office applicant, regarding assistance or guidance for aspiring scriptwriters. If no specific action was taken, please state the reasons for the same.
Conclusion
This case serves as a valuable reminder that while the RTI Act is a powerful tool, it has its specific applications. Understanding what information you can legitimately seek and from which authority is key to a successful RTI request. While the CIC could not fulfill the applicant’s underlying dream through the RTI process, it clarified the boundaries of information access for all citizens. Always ensure your RTI requests are for information, not for services or actions that fall outside the Act’s purview.
