State Level RTI: Uttarakhand

Background

Uttaranchal is a new state, which was carved out of the State of Uttar Pradesh in 2000. Until recently, the Government of Uttranchal did not have a comprehensive access to information law.

However, before being divided, on 3 April 2000 the Government of the State of Uttar Pradesh issued an Executive Order, which brought into force the Uttar Pradesh Code Of Practice On Access To Information. In accordance with Sections 86 and 87 of the Uttar Pradesh Reorganisation Act 2000, laws existing prior to the creation of the new state remain applicable in the new state.

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 Uttaranchal.

"The RTI Club Uttarakhand organised a workshop on the Emerging Challenges in the Implementation of the Right to Information. Close to a hundred RTI users and activists participated in this workshop and interacted with serving and former members of the Uttarakhand State Information Commission. The Club has published a R.T.I souvenir during the above mentioned workshop."

The Uttaranchal Government has started implementing the RTI Act 2005. The Uttaranchal Government has issued RTI Fee and Cost Rules 2006.

Click here for the RTI Fee and Cost Rules issued by the Government of Uttaranchal.

For a list of Public Information Officers and Appellate Authorities designated by the State Government, click here.

Details of Fee & Costs

Second Appeals and complaints against non-disclosure of information may be filed with the Uttaranchal State Information Commission.

State Information Commission

News updates, Activities & Advocacy

• "The RTI Club Uttarakhand organised a workshop on the Emerging Challenges in the Implementation of the Right to Information Act at Dehradun on 24th June 2012. The workshop was participated by close to a hundred RTI users and former members of the Uttarakhand State Information Commission. The Club has published a R.T.I Souvenir during the above mentioned workshop."

• In August, CHRI conducted two follow up training workshops for Master Trainers in Nainital. In all 108 officers were trained between August 16-20, 2005 who in turn have conducted sensitisation workshops in all 13 districts of Uttaranchal. The Nainital Workshop Report captures the key discussions and contains FAQs and clarifications on issues raised.

• The Uttaranchal Goverment has been taking a lead in implementing the recently enacted RTI Act 2005. Notably, the Government has already set-up a State Task Force on RTI Implementation, constituted the Selection Committee for the appointment of the Information Commissioner(s) and prepared a time bound Action Plan on implementation. From 23-24 July 2005, the State Government in collaboration with CHRI organised a two-day state level workshop on "Implementing the Right to Information" for all Heads of Departments and other public authorities in the State. The Uttaranchal Workshop Report has been widely circulated to all Central and State Government officials as well as civil society. Based on the discussions at the workshop, the Uttaranchal Government has issued further clarificatory orders regarding the implementation of the Act. For CHRI's English translation of these orders click here.

Resources & Articles

Government

• Right to Information Act 2005. (English)
• Right to Information Act 2005. (Hindi)
• Uttaranchal Right to Information Fees and Costs Rules, 2006.
• Uttaranchal Government Template on Proactive Disclosure - this has been widely circulated and adopted by State Governments.

CHRI

• CHRI (2005) Forwarding Information Requests and Appeals: A Step by Step Guide for Assistant Public Information Officers under the Right to Information Act 2005, prepared by Mr Venkatesh Nayak.
• CHRI (2005) Processing Information Requests: A Step by Step Guide for Assistant Public Information Officers under the Right to Information Act 2005, prepared by Mr Venkatesh Nayak.
• CHRI (2005) Uttaranchal Workshop Report, State Level Workshop on Implementing the Right to Information, 23-24 July, Dehradun.
• CHRI (2005) Nainital Workshop Report, Training of Master Trainers Workshops, August, Nainital.
• CHRI (2005) RTI Act 2005: Processing Applications, PPP prepared by Ms Charmaine Rodrigues, for State Level Workshop on Implementing the Right to Information, 23-24 July, Dehradun.
• CHRI (2005) RTI Act 2005: Manuals and Guidance to Assist Officials, PPP prepared by Ms Charmaine Rodrigues, for State Level Workshop on Implementing the Right to Information, 23-24 July, Dehradun.
• CHRI (2005) RTI Act 2005: Procedures and Guidelines for Information Commissions, PPP prepared by Ms Charmaine Rodrigues for State Level Workshop on Implementing the Right to Information, 23-24 July, Dehradun.
• CHRI (2005) RTI Act 2005: Monitoring, PPP prepared by Ms Charmaine Rodrigues, for State Level Workshop on Implementing the Right to Information, 23-24 July, Dehradun.
• CHRI (2005) RTI Act 2005: Action Plan for Raising Public Awareness, PPP prepared by Ms Mandakini Devasher, for State Level Workshop on Implementing the Right to Information, 23-24 July, Dehradun.

Miscellaneous

• To be updated
  

Links

• Government of Uttaranchal
• Uttaranchal Government RTI Portal
• Government of India (DOPT)
• National Campaign on People's Right to Information (NCPRI)
• Right to Information - Collection of RTI stories, articles, etc.
• Info Change - Right to Information Pages
• India Together - Right to Information Pages