Right to Information Act - Facts we must know.

One of the recent enactments of the Central Government which has got more powers is the Right to Information Act 2005.

We should know the basics of this Act and how this Act applies to our Department.

Motor vehicles Act is an independent Act and generally none of the Acts act together with this Act except the General clauses Act, Limitation Act, IPC etc.

Fees: We should know what is the fees for seeking any information under this Act.Whether the Insurance company seeks an extract of licence or permit details or a lawyer seeks the licence details, for any information the fees is Rs.10/- only. Even if a certificate or licence extract or vehicles ownership details are required the fee applicable is only Rs.10/- Some people collect Rs.90/-. That is totally wrong. If they apply to the commission, the consequences would be disastrous. The commission has wide powers. It can fine even several thousands.As the commission is not headed by judges but only by people of higher knowledge like professors, retired IAS officers, they may not appreciate the real fact, but will go only with public empathy. The fees can be paid through court fee stamp.No need to collect any service charge in such cases.

Information:= Please know that the public or any one can seek any information under this Act. As the Transport Department is not a protected Department like defence or judiciary any one can seek any information. So we have to oblige with the demand.

Time limit:- We have thirty days of time limit. Within 30 days we have to send the reply.

Rejection:- We can reject an application only under Section 8(D) which says that any information which will affect the third party or his commercial interest need not be divulged like that in grant of stage carriage permit etc. Even if we reject we have to state in the rejection order who is the appellate authority. The details of the appellate authority can be seen in our website.