About Right to Information
1. When does it come into force?
It comes into force on the 12th October, 2005 (120th day of its enactment on
15th June, 2005). Some provisions have come into force with immediate effect
viz. obligations of public authorities [S.4(1)], designation of Public
Information Officers and Assistant Public Information Officers[S.5(1) and 5(2)],
constitution of Central Information Commission (S.12 and 13), constitution of
State Information Commission (S.15 and 16), non-applicability of the Act to
Intelligence and Security Organizations (S.24) and power to make rules to carry
out the provisions of the Act (S.27 and 28).
2. Who is covered?
The Act extends to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
[S.(12)]
3. What does information mean?
Information means any material in any form including records, documents, memos,
e-mails, opinions, advices, press releases, circulars, orders, logbooks,
contracts, reports, papers, samples, models, data material held in any
electronic form and information relating to any private body which can be
accessed by a public authority under any other law for the time being in force
but does not include “file notings” [S.2(f)].
4. What does Right to Information mean?
It includes the right to –
1 inspect works, documents, records.
2 take notes, extracts or certified copies of documents or records.
3 take certified samples of material.
4 obtain information in form of printouts, diskettes, floppies, tapes, video
cassettes or in any other electronic mode or through printouts.[S.2(j)]
