Maintenance of records in consonance with Section 4 of the RTI Act

N0.12/192/2009-1R





Government of lndia



Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions



(Department of Personnel & Training)





North Block, New Delhi



Dated the 20th January 2010





OFFICE MEMORANDUM





Subject: Maintenance of records in consonance with Section 4 of the RTI Act





The Central lnformation Commission in a case has highlighted that the



systematic failure in maintenance of records is resulting in supply of incomplete and misleading information and that such failure is due to the fact that the public authorities do not adhere to the mandate of Section 4(l)(a) of the RTI Act, which requires every public authority to maintain all its records duly catalogued and indexed in a manner and form which would facilitate the right to information. The Commission also pointed out that such a default could qualtfy for payment of



compensation to the complainant. Section 19(8)(b) of the Act gives power to the Commission to require the concerned public authority to compensate the complainant for any loss or other detriment suffered.







2. Proper maintenance of records is vital for the success of the Right to lnformation Act but many public authorities have not paid due attention to the issue despite instructions issued by this Department. The undersigned is directed to request all the MinistrieslDepartments etc. to ensure that requirements of Section 4 of the Act in general and clause (a) of sub-section (1) thereof in particular are met by all the public authorities under them without any further delay.







(K.G. Verrna)



Director



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