fromSC Vashishth
to
date2 December 2008 11:12
subjectA landmark Decision clarifying the obligations of NGOs entailed by the RTI Act
mailed-bygmail.com

Dear Friends,

This decision by Central Information Commissioner brings NGOs funded by Govt under the ambit of RTI Act and also requires the NGOs to set up mechanisms to handle RTI applications.

Here is the exact order. Are we ready?

warm regards

A three member CIC Bench consisting of Chief Information Commissioner
Wajahat Habibullah, Information Commissioners A.N. Tiwari and Mrs.
Padma Balasubramanian pronounced a landmark Decision (Complaint
No.CIC/PB/C/2008/00723, 26Nov.2008) clarifying the obligations of
NGOs entailed by the RTI Act:

"The Commission feels that there may be similar such cases where an
NGO which is being substantially financed by the Government has not
set up a mechanism and have thereby evaded compliance with provisions
of the RTI Act. The Commission, therefore, recommends that Ministries
and Departments of the Central Government should make an assessment
as to whether the NGOs who are being financed by them have set up a
mechanism to provide information to the citizens who wish to obtain
information under the RTI Act. If such a mechanism has not been set
up by any of the NGOs receiving funds from the Central Government, it
is recommended that the Government should not release any fund till
the time such mechanism is set up and other obligations as
contemplated under the Act are complied with. A copy of this order
should be sent to all Ministries and Departments of the Government of
India for taking further necessary action in regard to this matter."
Warm regards,

Subhash Chandra Vashishth
Mobile : +91-11-9811125521