I want to file an RTI in Bareilly to get information on a public works project but the PIO rejected it. What next?

Detailed Legal Analysis

If your Right to Information (RTI) application has been rejected by the Public Information Officer (PIO) in Bareilly, you have the right to appeal the decision. The process for this is outlined under the Right to Information Act, 2005.

Here are the steps you should follow to appeal the rejection of your RTI application:

• Review the Rejection Notice: Carefully read the rejection letter from the PIO. It should provide the reasons for denying your request, which could be based on exemptions under Section 8 or Section 9 of the RTI Act.
• Draft an Appeal: Prepare a written appeal addressed to the Appellate Authority. The appeal should include:
  • Your name and contact details.
  • The RTI application reference number and date of submission.
  • The name of the PIO who rejected your application.
  • A clear statement of the reasons why you believe the rejection is unjustified.
  • Attach a copy of the rejected RTI application and the rejection notice.
• File the Appeal: Submit the appeal within 30 days from the date of receiving the rejection notice, as per Section 19(1) of the RTI Act. Ensure you keep a copy of your appeal for your records.
• Await Response: The Appellate Authority is required to respond to your appeal within 30 days of receiving it, as per Section 19(6) of the RTI Act.
• Further Remedies: If the Appellate Authority also rejects your appeal or does not respond within the stipulated time, you have further recourse:
  • You can file a second appeal with the Central Information Commission (CIC) or the State Information Commission (SIC), depending on the nature of the information sought.
  • This should be done within 90 days of receiving the decision from the Appellate Authority, as per Section 19(3) of the RTI Act.

It is important to note that the RTI Act is intended to promote transparency and accountability in governance, and you have the right to pursue this matter further if you feel that your request was unjustly denied.