RTI Act: Disposal of Request

The Public Information Officer (PIO) is responsible for disposing of RTI requests. The PIO can dispose of an RTI request in the following ways:

  • Provide the information requested.
  • Partially provide the information requested.
  • Refuse to provide the information requested.
  • Ask for clarifications or additional information from the applicant.
  • Transfer the RTI request to another PIO.

The PIO must provide the information requested within 30 days of the receipt of the RTI application. If the PIO is unable to provide the information within 30 days, the PIO must give the applicant a written explanation for the delay.

The PIO can partially provide the information requested if the information is voluminous or if it is not possible to provide all of the information at once. The PIO must inform the applicant of the reasons for providing the information partially and must also inform the applicant of the steps that will be taken to provide the remaining information.

The PIO can refuse to provide the information requested if the information is exempt from disclosure under the RTI Act. The PIO must give the applicant a written explanation for the refusal to provide the information.

The PIO can ask for clarifications or additional information from the applicant if the RTI application is unclear or if the PIO needs more information to process the application. The PIO must give the applicant a reasonable time to provide the clarifications or additional information.

The PIO can transfer the RTI request to another PIO if the information requested is held by another public authority. The PIO must inform the applicant of the transfer and must also inform the applicant of the name and address of the new PIO.

MCQs on RTI Act: Disposal of Request

Here are some MCQs on the topic of RTI Act: Disposal of Request:

  1. How can the PIO dispose of an RTI request?
    • Provide the information requested.
    • Partially provide the information requested.
    • Refuse to provide the information requested.
    • All of the above
  2. What is the maximum time limit for the PIO to provide the information requested?
    • 30 days
    • 45 days
    • 60 days
    • 90 days
  3. What are the reasons for which the PIO can refuse to provide the information requested?
    • The information is exempt from disclosure under the RTI Act.
    • The information is voluminous or if it is not possible to provide all of the information at once.
    • The information is personal information.
    • All of the above
  4. What can be done if the PIO refuses to provide the information requested?
    • The applicant can make a complaint to the CIC.
    • The applicant can make a complaint to the SIC.
    • The applicant can file a case in court.
    • All of the above

Answers to the MCQs:

  1. The answer is (d). The PIO can dispose of an RTI request in any of the ways mentioned above.
  2. The answer is (a). The PIO is required to provide the information requested within 30 days.
  3. The answer is (d). The PIO can refuse to provide the information requested for any of the reasons mentioned above.
  4. The answer is (d). If the PIO refuses to provide the information requested, the applicant can make a complaint to the CIC, the SIC, or file a case in court.