DOPT seeks comments from public regarding Introduction of postal stamps as RTI fee/cost

Circular No.1/3/2014-IR       Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievance and Pensions
 

Department of Personnel and Training (IR Division) North Block, New Delhi Dated 14th January, 2015

Subject: Introduction of postal stamps as RTI fee/cost - seeking comments
from public regarding

1.RTI Rules, 2012 prescribe payment of RTI application fee/Cost
through four Modes i.e. IPO, Demand Draft, Bankers Cheque and Cash against
receipt. Apart from regular modes of payments, Information seekers can use
the facility of e-IPO and also use Debit/Credit Card for filing online RTI
application.

2. CIC in its full bench decision in the case No. CIC/BS/C/2013/000149/LS
dated 27.08.2013 had inter-alia urged DoPT to consider acceptance of RTI
stamps as a mode of payment of RTI Fee and Costs. The issue was examined
in consultation with Department of Posts and the latter expressed its inability to
print exclusive RTI stamps. Subsequently, Department of Posts recommended
use of definitive series of postal stamps which are ubiquitously available in the
Post Offices across the country in different denominations. It further added that,
the RTI applicants would also need to affix the said stamp(s) on the RTI
application. The RTI applicant(s) by putting his signature or thumb impression
shall cancel the said postage stamp(s) to prevent it from misuse/re-use.

3. It was decided with the approval of the then MoS (PP) that acceptance of
postal stamps as mode of payment of RTI fee and cost would require
amendment in the RTI Rules notified on 31.7.2012 only, the recommendations
of CIC may be noted and considered as and when amendment to RTI Rules are
considered.

4. The CIC in its recent decision dated 12.12.2014 in File No.
CIC/SA/C/2014/000038 has again recommended to DoPT to adopt the proposal
of the Deptt. of Posts of use of ordinary Postal Stamps for payment of RTI fee.

5. Introduction of Stamps as one of modes of payment for RTI application
fee would require amendment to the RTI Rules, 2012. In addition, the following
issues need to be sorted out before taking any decision.
i. Use of ordinary postal stamps for the purpose of RTI may lead to
accounting problem, as it would not be possible to account amount
collected for RTI through ordinary stamps. Section 25(3)(e) of the RTI
Act lays down that each public authority is required to communicate to
CIC/SIC, as the case may be, the amount of charges collected under this
Act for incorporation in their Annual Report.
ii. There is apprehension of misuse of ordinary stamps for the purpose of
RTI, in the absence of specific procedure for crossing such stamps.
iii. Whether postal stamps may be considered for initial RTI fees only or for
payment of additional fee also.

6. A Committee has been formed to look into the above and other related
issues. It has been decided to invite views/suggestions from the citizens in the
subject matter, for the consideration of the Committee. The views/suggestions,
preferably not exceeding more than one page, may be sent latest by 7.2.2015
through email only to Shri R.K. Girdhar, Under Secretary (RTI), North Block at
usrti-doptOmic. in.

(Sande p Jain) Director - IR
Tele. No. 011-23092755