Right to Information

State Level RTI: Chhattisgarh

Background

The State of Chhattisgarh was carved out of the existing state of Madhya Pradesh in 2000. Since that time, Chhattisgarh has not passed a comprehensive law on right to information.

However, because Chhattisgarh was previously a part of the State of Madhya Pradesh, the Executive Orders to provide access to information, which were passed by the Madhya Pradesh Government while Chhattisgarh was still a part of that state, became applicable to the new State of Chhattisgarh. As per Section 78 and 79 of the Madhya Pradesh Reorganisation Act 2000, the law already in force in the state of Madhya Pradesh when the state of Chhattisgarh was created remains applicable to the state of Chhattisgarh. On 31 October 2002, the Department of General Administration issued a circular to all the government departments affirming this position.

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 Chhattisgarh.

The Chhattisgarh Government has started implementing the RTI Act 2005. Click here for the RTI Fee Rules and the RTI Appeals Rules issued by the Government of Chhattisgarh. The Chhattisgarh Government issued the Chhattisgarh Right to Information (fees and Charges) Rules 2007.

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 Chhatisgarh State Information Commission.

State Information Commission

Newsupdates, Activities & Advocacy

• A K Vijayvargiya has been sworn in as the Chief Information Commissioner of Chhattisgarh. Mr Vijayvargiya, who was the Chief Secretary, opted for voluntary retirement from service following his appointment as the Chief Information Commissioner. Talking to newsmen, Mr Vijayvargiya said he would strive to popularise the provisions of the Act so that more people could seek information under the act. Mr Rajendra Prasad Bagai has been appointed as the new Chief Secretary in place of Mr Vijayvargiya.

Resources & Articles

Government

• Right to Information Act 2005. (English)
• Right to Information Act 2005. (Hindi)
• Chhatiisharh RTI Fee Rules, 2006
• Chhattisgarh RTI Appeals Rules, 2006
• Chhatisgarh High Court Right to Information Rules 2005

CHRI

• CHRI (2006) The Right to Information and Panchayati Raj Institutions: Chhattisgarh as a Case Study, written by Sohini Paul and edited by Charmaine Rodrigues.
• 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.

Miscellaneous

Staff Reporter (2005) Vijayvargiya Takes Oath As Info Commissioner in Chhattisgarh, 7 November, UNI.

Links

• Government of Chhatisgarh
• 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