Now you can file RTI online including paymemt of Fees for Central Government/Departments!

One more step towards greater accountability and transparency.

Source - Times Of India

"...Filing online RTI applications in all central ministries and departments through a common web-based platform will become a reality from Wednesday. At present, this facility is available only for 40 ministries, departments and commissions.

Now, the government will extend this facility to all central institutions, including ministries, departments and commissions, which are covered under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005.."

"...A department of personnel and training (DoPT) note said, "The prescribed fees can be paid through Internet banking of State Bank of India and its associate banks as well as by credit or debit cards of Visa or Master, through the payment gateway of SBI linked to this site".

The RTI Act mandates timely response (within 30 days) to citizens' requests for government information. An information-seeker has to pay a fee of Rs 10 for getting the information.

Giving details of the guidelines for information-seeker, the department said that the text of the application that can be uploaded at the prescribed column (on the website) was limited to 500 words only. "In case, an application exceeds more than 500 words, then it can be uploaded as an attachment," it said..."

I whole heartedly welcome this step from GOI and now I do not have to depend on others to file RTI's on my behalf. Hopefully I should be able shoot the RTI online.