Have you ever wondered why certain government-minted coins, especially those made of silver alloy, are no longer readily available for purchase? Perhaps you’ve seen them only in expensive commemorative packs and questioned the change. This is a common curiosity for many Indian citizens interested in the nation’s coinage and its history. Fortunately, the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, empowers you to seek such information directly from government departments. This article breaks down an RTI case that highlights how you can uncover the reasons behind the discontinuation of specific coin sales and understand the decision-making process behind them.
Background: What Information Was Sought
An RTI applicant, keen to understand the fate of silver alloy coins minted mints, filed an application. The core of his query was straightforward yet important: he wanted to know the exact date and the specific reasons why the sale of these silver alloy coins was discontinued. Furthermore, he sought clarity on when these coins started being sold at significantly higher prices, specifically within commemorative packs. To understand how such decisions were made, the applicant also requested copies of any relevant file notings and official correspondence pertaining to these decisions. This was a well-structured request aimed at understanding both the ‘what’ and the ‘why’ of a policy change impacting publicly available coinage.
How the Public Authority Responded
The Ministry of Finance, upon receiving the RTI application, recognized that the information might not reside solely with them. Consequently, they appropriately transferred the application to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and, importantly, to the corporation responsible for managing the government mints. The Public Information Officer (PIO) at the Kolkata mint provided a partial response. He confirmed that he had no information regarding the discontinuation of the sale of silver alloy coins at their face value, nor did he possess any details about the decision to sell them at higher prices. He stated that his reply was based solely on the records available within the Kolkata mint, implying a lack of access to broader policy-level information or records from other mints or the head office. This response, while technically based on available records, did not fully address the applicant’s core queries.
The CIC Hearing: What Happened
The matter eventually reached the Central Information Commission (CIC) due to the incomplete nature of the response. During the hearing, the respondent, representing the mint, reiterated that the PIO’s reply was limited to the information accessible at the Kolkata mint. The PIO clarified that he did not have access to records held at the corporation’s headquarters or potentially in other mints. This highlighted a crucial point: information fragmentation and the importance of directing an RTI query to the correct authority with comprehensive record-keeping capabilities. The CIC recognized that decisions impacting the entire corporation’s operations would likely be centralized or at least documented at a higher level than an individual mint.
The CIC Order and Its Significance
The Central Information Commission, in its wisdom, made a critical observation. The CIC pointed out that if a decision to discontinue the sale of silver alloy coins at face value and to sell them through commemorative packs at higher prices had indeed been taken, then the information regarding this significant policy shift would logically reside with the head office of the corporation managing the mints. The Commission rightly understood that such a decision would have broader implications and would be documented at a corporate level. Therefore, the CIC issued a clear directive: the RTI application was to be transferred to the PIO at the headquarters of the corporation. This PIO was then instructed to gather the necessary information, wherever it might be available within the corporation and its various mints, and provide it to the appellant. This order is significant because it ensures that the applicant’s right to information is not thwarted limitations of a specific local office and directs the information to be sought from the most appropriate source.
Key Lessons for RTI Applicants
- Lesson 1: Target the Right Authority: If your query pertains to a policy or decision that might be implemented across multiple branches or units of a large organization, try to identify the central or head office. A PIO at the headquarters is more likely to have access to overarching policy documents and historical records.
- Lesson 2: Understand Information Flow: Recognize that information might be fragmented. A local office might only have records pertaining to its immediate operations. If the PIO genuinely lacks the information, they should ideally assist you in identifying the correct department or authority.
- Lesson 3: Persistence is Key: If the initial response is unsatisfactory or incomplete, don’t give up. The RTI Act provides avenues for appeal (First Appellate Authority and then the CIC) to ensure you get the information you are entitled to. Following the CIC’s direction in this case, the applicant will likely receive the comprehensive information he sought.
How to File a Similar RTI Application
- Identify the Public Authority: Determine which government department or public sector undertaking is responsible for the subject matter of your query (e.g., Ministry of Finance, RBI, or the specific corporation managing mints).
- Draft Your RTI Application Clearly: State your request precisely. Mention the specific item (e.g., silver alloy coins), the information you seek (discontinuation date, reasons, pricing changes), and any supporting documents you wish to obtain (file notings, correspondence).
- Pay the Fee: Attach the requisite fee (usually ₹10) in the prescribed manner (IPO, DD, or cash to the Accounts Officer).
- Submit and Track: Submit your application to the PIO of the identified public authority and keep a copy for your records. Note the application number for future tracking and follow-up. If the PIO transfers your application, ensure it is transferred to the correct authority as per Section 19(3) of the RTI Act.
Sample RTI question you can use:
Under the provisions of the Right to Information Act, 2005, please provide the date and the specific reasons for the discontinuation of the sale of silver alloy coins minted mints. Additionally, please provide information on when these coins began to be sold exclusively through commemorative packs at a price higher than their face value. Kindly also furnish copies of relevant file notings and official correspondence that led to these decisions.
Conclusion
This case serves as a valuable reminder that the RTI Act is a powerful tool for citizens to hold public authorities accountable and to understand the workings of government. how to frame your questions and where to direct them, you can effectively access information that might otherwise remain hidden. The CIC’s intervention in this instance ensured that the applicant’s right to know was upheld, demonstrating the effectiveness of the RTI process when applied correctly. So, if you have questions about government policies or historical decisions, don’t hesitate to use RTI to find the answers.
