HOW TO FILE AN RTI APPLICATION

WITHOUT GETTING KILLED

Along with the spread of awareness about the Right to Information (RTI) Act, the threat on those using the law to expose corruption has also increased. Every time an RTI applicant seeks information which has the potential to unearth the wrongdoings of influential people, he or she is at risk. In some cases, the threat remains limited to phone calls and in others, it cost the applicant his or her life. Here are some of the points which, if considered, can reduce this threat level a nd make the RTI law more meaningful: 1. Disseminate the information: As soon as you receive sensitive information thr ough the RTI Act, spread it among others. More people having the information red uces the threat risk to an individual. 2. Multiple applications on one issue: It is always better if many people file R TI queries asking for the same set of information. If the applicants are geograp hically spread across the country, it is even better. 3. Target the system, not individuals: If you are able to expose irregularities in the system, the officials involved will be held responsible by default. Befor e filing the application, try to search for a group of activists/applicants work ing on the cause which you want to take up. If possible, file the application on behalf of that group. 4 When your receive information from a public authority, intimate the head of th at public authority about it. 5. Do not use the act as a blackmailing tool. The objective is of the act is to bring transparency in the government functioning and not to blackmail someone. 6. Be polite while interacting with the public information officers. They are ju st part of the big system.