Revision of tariff for occupation of Inspection Quarters / Inspection Rooms in the Department of Posts.

This has a reference to Department of Posts(Estate Division) earlier Letter No. 6-2/2004-Bldg. dated 4-8-2005. As communicated vide Department of Posts (Estate Division) Letter No.6-5/2009-Bldg dated 27-08-2012 the rates for occupation of Inspection Quarters / Inspection Rooms is rationalized as follows:-

A)   Inspection Quarters / Inspection Rooms:

i)             For Officers of the Department of Posts while on duty / leave, retired officers of Department of Posts, other Government / PSU Officers on official visit and others for period of 10 days:

Sl. No.	Category of visitor in Inspection Quarters / Inspection Rooms	Rent per Day (More than six Hours)
		X Class Cities	Y & Z Class Cities
1.	Officers of Department of Posts on official visit	25/-	25/-
2.	Officers and dependent family members of Department of Posts on personal Visit	100/-	50/-
3.	Retired Officers of Department of Posts	100/-	50/-
4.	Other Government / PSU Officers on official visit and others	250/-	150/-

ii)           The charges for the use of :-

Air conditions        :-       20/- per day or a part thereof

Room Heaters                   :-          10/- per day or a part thereof

B)   Rates for officers for stay in Inspection Quarters/Inspection Rooms for periods exceeding 10 days:-

i)             For period exceeding 10 days and upto 60 days:-Same as in para (A) above {With permission of the Controlling Authority i.e. Head of the Circle}

ii)            For period beyond 60 days:-10% of Basic pay (including special pay) [With permission of the DG Posts]

The revised rates indicated above will take place with immediate effect.

Opening Of Passport Seva Kendras

Ministry of External Affairs30-August, 2012 17:50 IST

Opening Of Passport Seva Kendras

Under the Passport Seva Project, all the planned 77(seventy seven) Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) have been made operational across the country. There is no plan to open any new Passport Office in the country. However, the Government is   conducting a feasibility study to expand the network of passport delivery mechanism by means of additional Passport Seva Kendras/Passport Seva Laghu Kendras in various States/UTs, including Andhra Pradesh.    The full implementation of Passport Seva Project (PSP) has transformed Passport Issuance System by way of adding 77 PSKs to the 38 Passport Issuing Authorities in India, including Andaman & Nicobar Administration and introducing online filing of applications.  The PSP has a centralised IT system linking all Passport Offices, PSKs, Police and India Post. The Passport infrastructure has also been upgraded. The Passport Offices have regular interaction with concerned police authorities to expedite verification reports of the applicants. Passport Adalats are also conducted by Passport Offices from time to time. Guidelines for quick scrutiny of passport applications and defining the roles of personnel manning the PSKs are being framed to reduce processing time. The Government has also taken steps to create a motivated workforce by improving working conditions, training, and staff welfare and career progression measures.   The state-wise location of PSKs is given below. STATE-WISE    LIST OF PSKs S. No. State/UT No. of PSKs Location 1. Andhra Pradesh 7 Hyderabad I, II & III, Nizamabad, Vijayawada, Tirupati, Visakhapatnam, 2. Assam 1 Guwahati 3. Bihar 1 Patna 4. Chandigarh UT 1 Chandigarh 5. Chhatisgarh 1 Raipur* 6. Delhi NCT 3 Herald House, Shalimar Place, Bhikaji Cama Place* 7. Goa 1 Panaji* 8. Gujarat 5 Ahmedabad I& II, Baroda, Rajkot, Surat. 9. Haryana 2 Ambala,  Gurgaon. 10. Himachal Pradesh 1 Shimla* 11. Jammu & Kashmir 2 Jammu*, Srinagar*. 12. Jharkhand 1 Ranchi* 13. Karnataka 4 Bangalore I & II, Hubli,  Mangalore. 14. Kerala 13 Thiruvananthapuram, Thiruvananthapuram  (Rural), Kollam, Cochin,  Ernakulam Rural, Alapuzha, Kottayam, Malappuram, Thrissur, Kozhikode I & II, Kannur I & II. 15. Madhya Pradesh 1 Bhopal 16. Maharashtra 7 Mumbai I, II & III,  Pune, Nagpur,  Thane, Nashik. 17. Odisha 1 Bhubaneswar* 18. Punjab 5 Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar  I & II, Hoshiarpur. 19. Rajasthan 3 Jaipur, Jodhpur, Sikar. 20. Tamil Nadu 8 Chennai I, II & III, Trichy Thanjavur, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Coimbatore, 21. Uttar Pradesh 6 Lucknow, Varanasi, Kanpur, Gorakhpur, Bareilly, Ghaziabad. 22. Uttarakhand 1 Dehradun* 23. West Bengal 2 Kolkata, Berhampore. TOTAL 77 *Co-located PSK The Minister of State in the Ministry Of External Affairs Shri E. Ahamed provided this information in reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today. Source : PIB

Measures to Check Fall in Saving Deposits

The details of saving deposits with Banks and Gross and Net Small Savings Collections during 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 and during the current year are given below:-

(Rs. In Billion)

	2009-10	2010-11	2011-12	2012-13
Saving Deposits with Banks	11,367	12,855	14,442	15,578(April-August)
Gross Small Savings Collections	2509.3	2,747.2	2,190.0	516.7 (April-June)
Net Small Savings collections	643.5	586.5	6.5	(-) 19.2 (April-June)

           While the saving deposits with banks have a positive growth, there has been a decline in gross and net small savings collections.

             The Government, inter alia, has taken the following decisions with regard to interest rates and other measures for making small saving schemes attractive:-

1.      The rate of interest on small savings schemes has been aligned with G-Sec rates of similar maturity, with a spread of 25 basis points (bps) with two exceptions.  The spread on 10 year NSC (new Instrument) will be 50 bps and on Senior Citizens Savings Scheme 100 bps.

2.      The rate of interest on Post Office Savings Account (POSA) has been increased from 3.5 % to 4%.   The ceiling of maximum balance in POSA (Rs. 1 lakh in single account and Rs. 2 lakh in joint account) has been removed.

3.      The maturity period for Monthly Income Scheme (MIS) and National Savings Certificate (NSC) has been reduced from 6 years to 5 years.

4.      A new NSC instrument, with maturity period of 10 years, is being introduced.

5.      The annual ceiling on investment under Public Provident Fund (PPF) Scheme has been increased from Rs. 70,000 to Rs. 1 lakh.

6.      Liquidity of Post Office Time Deposit (POTD)-1,2,3 & 5 years – has been improved by allowing pre-mature withdrawal at a rate of interest 1% less than the time deposits of comparable maturity.  For pre-mature withdrawals between 6-12 months of investment, Post Office Savings Account (POSA) rate of interest will be paid.

 The Reserve Bank of India has also deregulated the savings bank deposit interest rate effective October 25, 2011.  Banks are now free to determine their savings bank deposit interest rate, subject to the following two conditions: First, each bank will have to offer a uniform interest rate on savings bank balances up to Rs. 1 lakh, irrespective of the amount in the account within this limit.  Second, for savings bank balances over Rs. 1 lakh a bank may provide differential rates of interest, if it so chooses.

  This was stated by the Minister of State for Finance, Shri   Namo Narain   Meena in written reply to a question in the  Rajya  Sabha today.

Source : PIB

Pay Revision of Unit Run Canteen Employees

Press Information Bureau 

Government of India

Ministry of Defence 

30-August-2012 17:06 IST

Pay Revision of Unit Run Canteen Employees

The Unit Run Canteen (URC) employees are getting paid as per the rules regulating the terms and conditions of the services of the civilian employees of the URCs, issued by Army Headquarters in April 2003. These rules were made as per the directions of Hon'ble Supreme Court of India dated 4th January 2001, in the case of Union of India Vs. M. Aslam and others. 

It has been held by the Hon'ble Supreme Court, in its order dated 28.4.2009, in the case of R.R. Pillai vs. Commanding Officer HQ SAC (U), that employees of URC are not Government Servants. Hence, the benefits of Sixth Pay Commission are not applicable to them. However, the basic pay of URC employees was enhanced by 50% w.e.f. 1.2.2009 and by another 15% w.e.f. 1.12.2009. 

This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written reply to Shri Veer Singh in Rajya Sabha today.

RETIREMENT ON SUPERANNUATION

  Ms. Rameshwari Handa, Chief Postmaster General, Delhi Postal Circle is retiring from service on 31.08.2012 on superannuation. IP/ASP Association, Delhi Postal Circle Branch wishes her happy, healthy and peaceful retired life.

IT Minister Kapil Sibal calls for separating regulatory services functions of Department of Post

Communications and IT Minister Kapil Sibal has called for restructuring of 150-year-old Department of Post by separating its regulatory and services functions to meet challenges of technological age.

"The postal department should also restructure itself to meet challenges of 21st century. The Department of Post (DoP) should look into prospect of bifurcating the ministry from the regulator and the operator, just as was done in the telecom sector," Sibal told PTI.

He said that the DoP should explore possibility of having different entities namely policy making, regulator and service provider. "No decision has been taken yet. It is all a matter of debate and dialogue at the moment," Sibal said.

DoP, which has around 5 lakh employees, is responsible for policy making, regulation and providing postal services, at present.

The over 100-year old Indian Post Office Act bars any individual or entity from delivering letters for commercial purpose. The business of private courier companies is built around delivering documents, parcels and others items which do not fall under the category of 'letter'.

Sources in the ministry said that Sibal held a meeting with DoP officials early this week on the issue of finanlisation of the National Postal Policy 2012 and asked them to prepare roadmap for restructuring as well.

They said that next meeting on the issue is expected to take place in 15 days. They said that the minister, in June, had asked DoP to set up a body to oversee the unbundling of its functions.

An independent body named Postal Development Board (PDB) will be responsible for the overall development and governance of the postal sector, they added. The PDB will also draw a road-map for unbundling of postal department functions.

The minister had also instructed DoP to constitute a Postal Advisory Board (PAB), in line with Telecom Commission, which should have representation from government, industry players, academics and other stakeholders, they said. The role of PAB will be to provide inputs to PDB on policy matters.

The government in 1997 created the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to regulate the sector. Under New Telecom Policy 1999, government further restructured DoT by separating service providing function from it.

Source:-The Economic Times

KVS PROPOSES 5 DAYS A WEEK WORK PATTERN FOR KV SCHOOLS

Now, Children studying in Kendriya Vidyalaya have reasons to rejoice as Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangethan is deliberating to implement 5 days a week working Schedule for all KVs situated in India. Incidentally, Kendriya Vidyalayas Situated outside India such as Iran, Moscow, Katmandu are working only five days a week only.

It is reported that reason behind the proposal to follow 5 days a week work schedule is to allow Students to “pursue self-learning” and follow their passion and indulge in non-academic activities. Five-day week would give “space” to children who, for years, merely get an off on Sundays besides the second Saturday of the month. “Keeping them bound to the school routine six days a week is detrimental to their natural growth of talent in various fields,”

 

Source: Times of India

RESERVATION FOR SC/ST EMPLOYEES IN PROMOTIONS – GOVERNMENT POSTPONED THE AMENDMENT BILL WHICH WAS TO BE TABLED ON 22ND AUGUST 2012

In view of Supreme Court’s decision against following reservation policy for Promotion in employment, Government is cautious now and postponed its plan to bring an amendment bill to provide Constitutional Validity to Reservation in Promotions for SC and ST Employees.

An All party meeting was conducted by Prime Minister Shri.Manmohan Singh in this connection. Prime Minister said in the meeting that the Government is in favour of allowing reservation for Promotion and that Government would review the bill again for examining the legal aspects before bringing theamendment bill again.

The leaders of other parties have also adviced that before this bill is tabled it has to be examined properly so that the enacted bill is legally valid in all aspects.

Earlier, in the month of April 2012, Apex Court had decided against the Uttar Pradesh Government’s order to follow reservation policy for SC and ST employees in Government posts.

Source: Zee News

Clarification on the admissibility of HRA during CCL

CLICK HERE TO VIEW MOF, DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE OM NO. 2(9)/2012-E.II (B) DATED 27.08.2012

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) ON MODIFIED ASSURED CAREER PROGRESSION SCHEME

1. What is Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACPS) ?

The MACP Scheme for Central Civilian Government Employees is in supersession of earlier ACP Scheme. Under the MACP Scheme three financial Up-gradations are allowed on completion of 10,20,30 years of regular service, counted from the direct entry grade. The MACPS envisages merely placement in the immediate next higher grade pay as given in Section I, Part-A of the first schedule of the CCS (Revised Pay) Rules 2008, in case no promotion has been earned by the employee during this period.

2. From which date the MACPS is effective?

The MACPS is effective w.e.f. 01.09.2008 or on completion of 10, 20 & 30 years of continuous regular service, whichever is later. Financial upgradation will also be admissible whenever a person has spent 10 years continuously in the same grade pay. (Para 9 of OM dated 19/5/2009)

3. Who are entitled for financial under the MACPS?

The MACPS is applicable to all Central Government Civilian Employees.

4. What norms are required to be fulfilled while granting the benefits under MACPS?

The financial upgradation would be on non-functional basis subject to fitness in the hierarchy of pay band and grade pay within PB- 1. Thereafter, only the benchmark of ‘Good’ would be applicable till the grade pay of Rs.6600 In PB-3. The benchmark will be ‘Very Good’ for Financial upgradation to the grade pay of Rs.7600 and above. However, where the Financial upgradation under the MACPS also happen to be in the promotional grade and benchmark for promotion is lower than the benchmark for granting the benefits under MACPS as mentioned in para 17 of the Scheme, the benchmark for promotion shall apply to MACP also.

O.M.N0.5034/3/2008-Estt(D) dated 01/11/2010

5. Whether Pay Band would be changed at the time of grant of financial upgradation under MACPS?

Yes. OM.N0.35034/3/2008-Estt.(D) dated 09/09/2010

6. Whether the promotions in same grade would be counted for the purpose of MACPS?

The financial up-gradation under the MACPS is in the immediate next higher grade pay in the hierarchy of recommended revised pay bands and grade pay as given in CCS (Revised Pay) Rules, 2008. However if the promotional hierarchy as per recruitment rules is such that promotions are earned in the same grade pay, then the same shall be counted for the purpose of MACPS.

 

7. How will the benefits of ACP be granted if due between 01 .01.2006 and 31.08.2008?

The revised pay structure has been changed w.e.f. 01.01.2006 and the benefits of ACPS have been allowed till 31.08.2008. Hence, the benefits of revised pay structure would be allowed for the purpose of ACPS.

(OM No.35034/3/2008-Estt. dated 9.9.2010)

8. Whether adhoc appointment would be counted towards qualifying service for MACPS?

No. Only continuous regular service is counted towards qualifying service for the purpose of MACPS. The regular service shall commence from the date of joining of a post in direct entry grade on a regular basis. (Para 9 of the MACPS)

 

9. Whether State Government service shall be reckoned for the purpose of MACPS?

No. Only regular service rendered in the Central Government’s Department/Office is to be counted for the purpose of MACPS, as the Scheme is applicable to the Central Government Civilian Employees only. ( MACPS , Para 10)

10. What are the periods included in the regular service?

All period spent on deputation/foreign service, study leave and all other kind of leave, duly sanctioned by the competent authority shall be included in the regular service. (Para 11. MACPS)

11. How is the MACPS to be extended to the employees of Autonomous and Statutory Bodies?

Procedure prescribed in OM No.35034/3/2010- Estt(D),Dated 03/08/2010 would be followed by the administrative Ministries/Departments concerned for extension of the MACPS to the employees of Autonomous and Statutory Bodies under their control.

12. Whether the cases of grant of financial upgradation allowed under the ACPS between 01.09.2008 and 19.05.2009, the date of issue of the Scheme are be reviewed?

Yes. Since the benefits of ACPS have been discontinued w.e.f. 01.09.2008, the cases settled between 01.09.2008 and 19.05.2009, in terms of previous ACP Scheme shall be reviewed.

13. Whether the past continuous regular service in another Govt. Deptt. in a post carrying same grade pay prior to regular appointment in a new Deptt. without a break shall be counted towards qualifying regular service for the purpose of MACPS?

Yes. ( Para 9, MACPS)

14. Upto what grade pay the benefits under the / MACPS is allowed?

The benefits of MACPS are being up-to HAG scale of Rs. 67000 – 79000/- (DOPT’s O.M.No.35034/3/2008-Estt.(D) dated 24.12.2010)

15. How the cases of pre-revised pay scales (Rs.5000-8000 & Rs.5500-9000 and Rs.6500-10500 & Rs.7450-11500) merged w.e.f. 01.01.2006 are to be decided under MACPS?

The cases would be regulated in accordance with para 5 of Annexure-I of MACPS. The Ministries/Departments are expected to re-organise cadres and frame common RRs for the post in merged scales.

16. Whether ‘Non-functional Scale’ of Rs.8000-13500 (revised to grade pay of Rs.5400 in PB-3) would be viewed as one financial upgradation for the purpose of MACPS?

Yes, in terms of para 8.1 of Annexure-I 01 MACPS dated 19.05.2009.

17. Whether time bound promotion’ scheme including ‘in-situ promotion’ scheme can run concurrently with MACPS?

No. ( Para 13 of MACPS)

18. Whether Staff Car Drive Scheme can run concurrently with MACPS?

DOPT vide O.M.No.35011/03/2008-Estt.(D),30/07/2010 has extended the benefits of MACPS to Staff Car Drivers as a fall back option

19. Whether the placement of erstwhile Gr. D employees as Staff Car Driver, ordinary grade would count as a promotion?

No. The model RRs for Staff Car Drivers provide deputation/absorption as a method of appointment for erstwhile Gr. D employees . The placement as staff Car Driver is not in the hierarchy hence the same would not be counted as promotion under MACPS. The regular service for the MACPS would be from the date of appointment as Staff Car Driver.

20. Whether designation classification or higher status would change on account of financial upgradation under MACPS?

There shall be no change in the designation classification or higher status on grant of financial upgradation under MACPS, as the upgradation under the Scheme is purely personal and merely placement in the nexl higher grade pay. (Para 16 of Annexure-l of MACPS refers)

21. If a financial upgradation under the MACPS is deferred due to the reason of the employees being ‘unfit’ or due to departmental proceedings, etc, whether this would have consequential effect on the subsequent financial upgradation?

Yes, this would have consequential effect on the subsequent financial upgradation, which would also get deferred to the extent of delay in grant of financial upgradation. ( MACPS, Para 15)

22. Whether the stepping up of pay would be admissible if a junior is getting more pay than the senior on account of grant of financial upgradation under MACPS?

No stepping up of pay in the band or grade pay would be admissible with regard to junior getting more pay than the senior on account of pay fixation under MACPS. Para 10 of OM dated 19/5/2009

 

23. Whether the regular service rendered by an employee if declared surplus in his/her organisation and appointed in the same grade pay or lower grade pay shall be counted towards the regular service in a new organization for the purpose of MACPS?

Yes. (refer para 23 of Annexure-l of MACPS)

24. In case of transfer including unilateral transfer own request, whether regular service rendered in previous organisation/office shall be counted alongwith the regular service in the new organization for the purpose of MACPS?

Yes. OM No.35034/3/2008-Estt(D) dated 01/11/2010

25. If a regular promotion has been offered but was refused by the employees before becoming entitled to a financial upgradation under the MACPS, whether financial upgradation shall be allowed to such a Government servant?

If a regular promotion has been offered but was refused by the Government employee before becoming entitled to a financial upgradation, no financial upgradation shall be allowed and as such an employee has not been stagnated due to lack of opportunities. If, however, financial upgradation has been allowed due to stagnation and the employees subsequently refuse the promotion, it shall not be a ground to withdraw the financial upgradation. He shall, however, not be eligible to be considered for further financial upgradation till he agrees to be considered for promotion again and the next financial upgradation shall also be deferred to the extent of period of debarment due to the refusal.( Para 25 of MACPS)

 

Source: www.persmin.nic.in

Promotion of IP Line/ General Line officials to PS Group "B" cadre on the basis of LDCE for promotion to PS Group "B"-2012 held on 03.06.2012

CLICK HERE TO VIEW DEPARTMENT OF POSTS ORDER NO. 9-34/2011-SPG DATED 27.08.2012

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) ON RTI (AS ON JANURARY 2012)

Q.1. What is Information?

Information is any material in any form. It includes records, documents, memos, e-mails, opinions, advices, press releases, circulars, orders, logbooks, contracts, reports, papers, samples, models, data material held in any electronic form. It also includes information relating to any private body which can be accessed by the public authority under any law for the time being in force.

Q.2 What is a Public Authority?

A “public authority” is any authority or body or institution of self government established or constituted by or under the Constitution; or by any other law made by the Parliament or a State Legislature; or by notification issued or order made by the Central Government or a State Government. The bodies owned, controlled or substantially financed by the Central Government or a State Government and non-Government organisations substantially financed by the Central Government or a State Government also fall within the definition of public authority. The financing of the body or the NGO by the Government may be direct or indirect.

Q.3 What is a Public Information Officer?

Public authorities have designated some of its officers as Public Information Officer. They are responsible to give information to a person who seeks information under the RTI Act.

Q.4 What is an Assistant Public Information Officer?

These are the officers at sub-divisional level to whom a person can give his RTI application or appeal. These officers send the application or appeal to the Public Information Officer of the public authority or the concerned appellate authority. An Assistant Public Information Officer is not responsible to supply the information. The Assistant Public Information Officers appointed by the Department of Posts in various post offices are working as Assistant Public 2 Information Officers for all the public authorities under the Government of India.

Q.5. What is the Fee for Seeking Information from Central Government Public Authorities?

A person who desires to seek some information from a Central Government Public Authority is required to send, along with the application, a demand draft or a banker’s cheque or an Indian Postal Order of Rs.10/- (Rupees ten), payable to the Accounts Officer of the public authority as fee prescribed for seeking information. The payment of fee can also be made by way of cash to the Accounts Officer of the public authority or to the Assistant Public Information Officer against proper receipt. However, the RTI Fee and the mode of payment may vary as under Section 27 and Section 28, of the RTI Act, 2005 the appropriate Government and the competent authority, respectively, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules to carry out the provisions of this Act.

Q.6. What is the Fee for the BPL applicant for Seeking Information?

If the applicant belongs to below poverty line (BPL) category, he is not required to pay any fee. However, he should submit a proof in support of his claim to belong to the below poverty line.

Q.7. Is there any specific Format of Application?

There is no prescribed format of application for seeking information. The application can be made on plain paper. The application should, however, have the name and complete postal address of the applicant.

Q.8. Is it required to give any reason for seeking information?

The information seeker is not required to give reasons for seeking information.

Q.9. Is there any provision for exemption from Disclosure of Information?

Sub-section (1) of section 8 and section 9 of the Act enumerate the types of information which is exempt from disclosure. Sub-section (2) of section 8, however, provides that information exempted under sub-section 3 (1) or exempted under the Official Secrets Act, 1923 can be disclosed if public interest in disclosure overweighs the harm to the protected interest.

Q.10. Is there any assistance available to the Applicant for filing RTI application?

If a person is unable to make a request in writing, he may seek the help of the Public Information Officer to write his application and the Public Information Officer should render him reasonable assistance. Where a decision is taken to give access to a sensorily disabled person to any document, the Public Information Officer, shall provide such assistance to the person as may be appropriate for inspection.

Q.11. What is the Time Period for Supply of Information?

In normal course, information to an applicant shall be supplied within 30 days from the receipt of application by the public authority. If information sought concerns the life or liberty of a person, it shall be supplied within 48 hours. In case the application is sent through the Assistant Public Information Officer or it is sent to a wrong public authority, five days shall be added to the period of thirty days or 48 hours, as the case may be.

Q.12. Is there any provision of Appeal under the RTI Act?

If an applicant is not supplied information within the prescribed time of thirty days or 48 hours, as the case may be, or is not satisfied with the information furnished to him, he may prefer an appeal to the first appellate authority who is an officer senior in rank to the Public Information Officer. Such an appeal, should be filed within a period of thirty days from the date on which the limit of 30 days of supply of information is expired or from the date on which the information or decision of the Public Information Officer is received. The appellate authority of the public authority shall dispose of the appeal within a period of thirty days or in exceptional cases within 45 days of the receipt of the appeal.

Q.13. Is there any scope for second appeal under the RTI Act?

If the first appellate authority fails to pass an order on the appeal within the prescribed period or if the appellant is not satisfied with the order of the first appellate authority, he may prefer a second appeal with the Central Information Commission within ninety days from the date on which the decision should have been made by the first appellate authority or was actually received by the appellant.

Q.14. Whether Complaints can be made under this Act? If yes, under what conditions?

If any person is unable to submit a request to a Public Information Officer either by reason that such an officer has not been appointed by the concerned public authority; or the Assistant Public Information Officer has refused to accept his or her application or appeal for forwarding the same to the Public Information Officer or the appellate authority, as the case may be; or he has been refused access to any information requested by him under the RTI Act; or he has not been given a response to a request for information within the time limit specified in the Act; or he has been required to pay an amount of fee which he considers unreasonable; or he believes that he has been given incomplete, misleading or false information, he can make a complaint to the Information Commission.

Q.15. What is Third Party Information?

Third party in relation to the Act means a person other than the citizen who has made request for information. The definition of third party includes a public authority other than the public authority to whom the request has been made.

Q.16. What is the Method of Seeking Information?

A citizen who desires to obtain any information under the Act, should make an application to the Public Information Officer of the concerned public authority in writing in English or Hindi or in the official language of the area in which the application is made. The application should be precise and specific. He should make payment of application fee at the time of submitting the application as prescribed in the Fee Rules.

Q.17. Is there any organization(s) exempt from providing information under RTI Act?

Yes, certain intelligence and security organisations specified in the Second Schedule, are exempted from providing information excepting the information pertaining to the allegations of corruption and human rights violations.

Source : DOPT