In news– The Supreme Court of India has recently launched an online portal that will help citizens file and access applications under the RTI Act in matters related to the court.
About the portal-
- The online RTI portal has been initiated to make it convenient for people to access information about the Supreme Court. So far, RTI applications at the Supreme Court had to be filed only via post.
- The online portal is likely to streamline responses of the Supreme Court under the Right to Information Act.
- The online portal can be accessed at https://registry.sci.gov.in/rti_app.
- Essentially, the process of filing an RTI in the Supreme Court is the same as how one normally files the application.
- This web portal can be used only by Indian citizens to file RTI applications, first appeals and to make payment for fees, and copying charges, under the Right to Information Act, 2005 (RTI Act).
- The website makes it clear that only those who wish to obtain information on the Supreme Court can access it and any other information from public authorities can be done through the respective Central/State government portal
- First, an applicant must create an account and sign in to the portal, after which they can fill out the RTI application. While registering the account, it is mandatory to provide one’s address proof.
- The applicant can pay the prescribed fee through internet banking, credit/debit card of Master/Visa or UPI. The fee per RTI application is ₹10.
- Any applicant who is Below Poverty Line (BPL) is exempted to pay the application fee under the RTI Rules, 2012.
- On successful submission of an application, a unique Registration/Diary number would be generated and the same should be referred to by the applicant for any future references and correspondences.
- By law, RTIs must be replied to within 30 days. In fact, in life and death cases, RTIs must be responded to within 48 hours.
Note: There is already an RTI portal maintained by the Central government.Through this portal, RTI applications/first appeals can be filed by Indian Citizens for all Ministries/Departments and other Public Authorities of Central Government.
Further reading: https://journalsofindia.com/rti-act/
Source: The Indian Express
