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

Detailed Legal Analysis

If your RTI application has been rejected by the Public Information Officer (PIO) in Panipat, you have the right to appeal against this decision under the Right to Information Act, 2005.

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

• Understand the Grounds for Rejection: Review the response from the PIO to understand the specific reasons for the rejection. The reasons should be based on the provisions of the RTI Act, which outlines circumstances under which information may be denied (Section 8 & Section 9).
• Draft an Appeal: Prepare your first appeal against the PIO's decision. This should include:
• Your full name and address.
• The details of the original RTI application (date of application, the subject of the request).
• The date of the PIO's response and the reasons cited for rejection.
• Your arguments countering the PIO’s reasons for rejection.
• Any supporting documents, if applicable.
• File the Appeal: Submit your appeal to the designated Appellate Authority. As per Section 19(1) of the RTI Act, the appeal should be filed within 30 days from the date of the PIO's rejection.
• Keep a Copy: Retain a copy of the appeal for your records, along with any acknowledgment received from the Appellate Authority.
• Await Response: The Appellate Authority is required to decide on your appeal within 30 days from the date of receipt of the appeal, as per Section 19(6) of the RTI Act.
• Further Appeals: If the appeal is also denied, you can escalate the matter to the Central Information Commission (CIC) or State Information Commission (SIC), depending on the jurisdiction. This can be done under Section 19(3) of the RTI Act.

Additionally, it’s important to note that under the RTI Act, you can also seek legal recourse if you feel that your rights have been violated or if there is undue delay in responding to your appeal.

Taking these steps will help ensure that your right to access information is upheld under the provisions of the Right to Information Act, 2005.