Background
Until recently, Kerala had no comprehensive access to information law. The State Government did prepare a draft Right to Information Bill, which was released in 2002, but no action was taken to enact the law. Along with the right to information bill the Government also introduced the Kerala Transparency in Public Purchase Bill 2002, which was aimed at strengthening transparency in the administration of the government.
Significantly, in Kerala there has been a movement to establish the culture of transparency by using the avenues available to access information under the existing Panchayati Raj system (decentralisation process). Provisions facilitating access to information have been incorporated in the Kerala Panchayati Raj Act. (This was done in response to the recommendations in the 1997 Report of the Sen Committee on Decentralisation of Powers.) The Kerala Panchayati Raj Act provides for access to information from local self-government bodies, which are 1214 in number in Kerala. It provides the detailed procedure for applying for information and also punishment for withdrawal of information.
Law
In May 2005, the national Right to Information Act 2005 was passed by Parliament. The RTI Act 2005 received Presidential assent on 15 June and came fully into force on 12 October 2005. (For more information on the passage of the RTI Act 2005 and implementation at the national level, click here.) The RTI Act 2005 covers all Central, State and local government bodies and applies to the State Government of Kerala.
The Kerala Government has started implementing the RTI Act 2005. The Government has issued the Kerala Right to Information Fee Rules 2005.
For a list of Public Information Officers and Appellate Authorities designated by the State Government, click here.
Details of Fee & Costs
Application |
Rs 10 |
Mode of payment |
Cash/court fee stamp/treasury challan/demand draft or bankers cheque |
Additional Fees: |
|
A-4 paper copies |
Rs 2 per page |
Large size paper |
Actual cost of copy |
Floppy / CD |
Rs 50 |
Print copies |
Rs 2 per page |
Samples /models |
Actual cost |
Inspection of records |
First hour free, Rs 10 for each subsequent half hour |
Second Appeals and complaints against non-disclosure of information may be filed with the Kerala State Information Commission.
State Information Commission Contact Details
T.C. 26/298, Punnen Road
Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala - 695 001
Phone PA to CIC 0471-2561623
Email: - sic@kerala.nic.in
Website: http://keralasic.gov.in/
Newsupdates, Activities & Advocacy
The National Organization for Consumer Education and Research (NOCER-INDIA) works primarily on consumer rights issues, although their mandate broadly includes human rights and legal awareness. In support of their core consumer rights activities, NOCER-INDIA has also been working on right to information issues in Kerala.
For further information: Contact NOCER-INDIA at Payam -670704, Kerala, Tel 91-490-491475, E-Mail- nocermathew@yahoo.com
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