Payment of fee for application to be considered as valid

The PIO submitted before the CIC that the instant RTI Application was filed without payment of the requisite fee and therefore, the same was treated as incomplete. On being asked by the CIC to provide any proof regarding the fee paid by him towards the instant RTI Application, the Complainant failed to furnish any proof for the same. The CIC observed that the Complainant has lodged the instant RTI Application without payment of the requisite fee and the same has also been informed to the Complainant by the PIO. Hence, the CIC held that the present petition is not maintainable being infructuous.

Comments

An applicant must adhere to the essentials of the RTI Act and not only pay the required application fee, but also retain the proof of payment of fee.

Citation: Bhushan Kumar v. Office of the Commissioner of Customs (Export), New Custom House, Mumbai, CIC/CCUM1/C/2023/645312; Date of Decision: 06.09.2024

Dr Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is a RTI Consultant currently working with IIM Visakhapatnam. She has co-authored the books, RTI Right to Information - Law and Practice and PIO’s Guide to RTI. She offers consultancy on RTI matters and Third party audit. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation of India at the link www.rtifoundationofindia.com