New Delhi:
In order to ease RTI application process from abroad, the Central Information Commission has framed new rules enabling NRIs to pay application fees and information costs at the Indian embassies and missions abroad.
NRIs will also be able to avail audio-video conference facilities in case of first and second appeals.
"We have finalised new rules and regulations which will help NRIs to easily process their applications while exercising their Right to Information. There will be an easy-to-follow procedure for paying fee against the information in Indian Embassies and audio-video conferencing facility in case of first and second appeals," Chief Information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah said.
As per the new procedure envisaged, Habibullah said, "Embassies may accept only the fee and information cost and provide e-receipts to applicants who can then directly file their RTIs to public authorities in India by email along with proof of payment."
The CIC said, "I will soon meet concerned officials at the Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Personnel and Training other stake holders for this."
NRIs have often complained of a cumbersome process of fee-payment for seeking information.
"Till now, there is no definite procedure to deposit the fee of Rs 10 from outside to the public authority anywhere in India which is a big difficulty for accessing the information," RTI activist Commodore Lokesh Batra, who filed an RTI with Indian mission in Washington to assess the problems faced by NRIs in filing the applications, said.
According to the Indian Embassy website, people can submit applications along with documentary proof of Indian citizenship and send prescribed fee in local currency, equivalent to Indian Rs 10 in cheque or demand draft.
However, "they need to send the fee directly to public authority here in India for which the process is quiet vague. Also there is no provision of audio-video conferencing facility in case of first and second appeals," Batra said.
"From abroad, payment in India in Rupees for RTI Fee is a cumbersome process, especially when different modes of payment and amount being prescribed and accepted by Center, State Governments and other Public Authorities like Courts.
"In Uttar Pradesh, one has to apply and paste treasury stamp for getting copy of State Information Commission's order. How can a person travel all the way from America to paste stamp and get the information?" he asked.