‘No authority can force RTI applicant to submit ID proof’

‘No authority can force RTI applicant to submit ID proof’

Ajay.Sura@timesgroup.com

Chandigarh:10.08.2021

In a landmark order, the state information commission (SIC) Haryana has made it clear that no authority in the state can force an RTI applicant to apply in a particular format or submit identity proof with the application.

“The RTI Act, 2005 is the central Act and Section 6 (2) of the same allows an applicant to conceal his identity and to seek information without giving any reason. An applicant making a request for information shall not be required to give any reason for requesting the information or any other personal details except those that may be necessary for contacting him,” the commission has held.

The commission held that the Haryana government nowhere made it mandatory till date that the provisions included in the rules notified in 2021 that to have information under RTI, one has to use the Form A performa and submit identity card and to give any other details as mentioned in the Form A.

The development is significant, as the Haryana government had recently issued an order asking the RTI applicants to submit an identity proof.