When you receive an information request, it is important to remember that under every single Indian RTI law currently in force, you will be required to provide a written response to the application within a set timeframe, usually between 15-30 days. However, wherever possible you should provide the information as soon as possible.
Under section 7(1) of the Central Act, PIOs must respond to applications as expeditiously as possible and no later than 30 days.
However,
if confidential third
party information is involved, the PIO has to wait 10 days to
allow the third party time to make a representation regarding whether
the information should be disclosed. This means that the PIO has
up to 40 days to make a decision).
Significantly,
section 7(1) also requires that an application must be processed
within 48 hours if the information requested relates to the life
or liberty of a person.
Once
you have decided to release information and the requester has paid
any relevant fees, the information must be made available to the
requester forthwith.
Please
click on the link to the Central RTI Act to read the detailed
provisions contained in the law. Please click on the link to CHRI's
State RTI pages to find out more about relevant rules and implementation
in your specific State.
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