The Government of India took a major step forward in enabling
Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to file applications under the Right to
Information Act this week, announcing that it has launched a service
called “elPO,” or Electronic Indian Postal Order. Using this, NRIs
across the world may now be in a position to file RTI applications
conveniently via direct payment of fees for the same.
According to an Office Memorandum put out on Friday by the government’s
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, the Department of
Posts service will permit NRIs to purchase an Indian Postal Order
electronically by paying a fee on-line through e-Post Office Portal i.e.http://www.epostoffice.gov.in. It could also be accessed through India Post website www.indiapost.gov.in, the memorandum explained.
Lokesh Batra, a retired commodore and an RTI activist who was said to be
one of the principal campaigners behind the move, said, “At last eIPO
launched today. Indian Citizens Abroad can now file RTIs and participate
in Nation Building. The Journey that started for me in October 2008 in
the U.S. (Boston) 54 months ago has reached its destination today.” He
was also quoted as saying that the eIPO would allow Indians abroad to
enjoy the same rights as those living in the country."
According to reports it was his frustration with the difficulties in
filing an RTI application from the U.S. during a two-month visit there
to see his daughter four years ago that led Mr Batra to start an online
petition to make it easier for to buy IPOs or demand drafts in Indian
rupees. He was said to have moved the Central Information Commission
which in 2010 reportedly ordered that a system be put in place to make
it possible for Indians living abroad to file RTIs.
The Ministry’s note clarified that at present the facility was provided
only for Indian citizens abroad across the globe to facilitate them to
seek information from the Central Public Information Officers (CPIOs)
under the RTI Act, 2005, and debit and credit cards could be used to
purchase the elPO.
In terms of process users are required to get themselves registered at
the website, select the Ministry or Department from whom they desire the
information under the RTI Act and then elPO so generated can be used to
seek information from that Ministry or Department only. Further, the
memorandum explained, a printout of the elPO is required to be attached
with the RTI application, or if the RTI application was being filed
electronically, the elPO must be attached.
As a caveat it should be noted that all the requirements for filing an
RTI application as well as other provisions regarding eligibility, time
limit and exemptions, as provided in the RTI Act, 2005 will continue to
apply. CPIOs are required to maintain a record of the elPOs so received
from Indian citizens abroad, but eIPO details can be verified from the
website of India Post.
In emailed comments to The Hindu, Somu Kumar, a volunteer with the AID
NGO based in Washington said that an activist, Vishal Kudchadkar,
conducted the first transaction using the ePIO facility and filed an RTI
immediately.
Regarding his experience on using the system Mr. Kudchadkar said, “The
ePIO system was very simple and straightforward. It will be nice to have
all PIO email IDs also in the list so that we can easily mail the RTI
application along with ePIO transaction.”
source- the hindu
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