No.1/3/2014-IR
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievance and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training
(IR Division)
North Block, New Delhi
Dated 14th January, 2015
Circular
Subject: Introduction of postal stamps as RTI fee/cost - seeking comments from public regarding
RTI
Rules, 2012 prescribe payment of RTI application fee/Cost through four
Modes i.e. IPO, Demand Draft, Bankers Cheque and Cash against receipt.
Apart from regular modes of payments, Information seekers can use the
facility of e-IPO and also use Debit/Credit Card for filing online RTI
application.
2. CIC
in its full bench decision in the case No. CIC/BS/C/2013/000149/LS
dated 27.08.2013 had inter-alia urged DoPT to consider acceptance of RTI
stamps as a mode of payment of RTI Fee and Costs. The issue was
examined in consultation with Department of Posts and the latter
expressed its inability to print exclusive RTI stamps. Subsequently,
Department of Posts recommended use of definitive series of postal
stamps which are ubiquitously available in the Post Offices across the
country in different denominations. It further added that, the RTI
applicants would also need to affix the said stamp(s) on the RTI
application. The RTI applicant(s) by putting his signature or thumb
impression shall cancel the said postage stamp(s) to prevent it from
misuse/re-use.
3. It
was decided with the approval of the then MoS (PP) that acceptance of
postal stamps as mode of payment of RTI fee and cost would require
amendment in the RTI Rules notified on 31.7.2012 only, the
recommendations of CIC may be noted and considered as and when amendment
to RTI Rules are considered.
4. The
CIC in its recent decision dated 12.12.2014 in File
No.CIC/SA/C/2014/000038 has again recommended to DoPT to adopt the
proposal of the Deptt. of Posts of use of ordinary Postal Stamps for
payment of RTI fee.
5. Introduction
of Stamps as one of modes of payment for RTI application fee would
require amendment to the RTI Rules, 2012. In addition, the following
issues need to be sorted out before taking any decision.
i. Use
of ordinary postal stamps for the purpose of RTI may lead to accounting
problem, as it would not be possible to account amount collected for
RTI through ordinary stamps. Section 25(3)(e) of the RTI Act lays down
that each public authority is required to communicate to CIC/SIC, as the
case may be, the amount of charges collected under this Act for
incorporation in their Annual Report.
ii. There
is apprehension of misuse of ordinary stamps for the purpose of RTI, in
the absence of specific procedure for crossing such stamps.
iii. Whether postal stamps may be considered for initial RTI fees only or for payment of additional fee also.
6. A
Committee has been formed to look into the above and other related
issues. It has been decided to invite views/suggestions from the
citizens in the subject matter, for the consideration of the Committee.
The views/suggestions, preferably not exceeding more than one page, may
be sent latest by 7.2.2015 through email only to Shri R.K. Girdhar,
Under Secretary (RTI), North Block at usrti-dopt@nic. in.
Sd/-
(Sandeep Jain)
Director - IR
Tele. No. 011-23092755
Shri Bandaru Dattatreya Chairs Tripartite Meeting with State Governments, Central Trade Unions and Employer Organizations
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Labour & Employment
13-January-2015 20:24 IST
Shri Bandaru Dattatreya Chairs Tripartite Meeting with State Governments, Central Trade Unions and Employer Organizations
The
Union Minister of State for Labour and employment (Independent Charge)
Shri Bandaru Dattatreya today chaired a tripartite meeting with state
governments, central trade unions and employer organizations in New
Delhi.
The
Minister made an earnest appeal for pro-active involvement of all
stakeholders in the labour matters. He said that the Ministry of Labour
follows proud legacy of social dialogue. He informed that the Ministry
is undertaking a special drive to cover contract and construction
workers under formal social security cover. He said that another
nationwide campaign is being initiated for the settlement of inoperative
provident fund accounts. He appealed to the Worker’s and Employer’s
Organisations to be a partner in this drive with renewed vigor. The
Ministr is aiming at making this drive an effective tool to cover more
and more people in the ambit of Social Security System and the success
of this initiative will only be ensured with cooperation from all.
The
Trade Unions raised the issue of the 10 point charter of demands given
by them and invited the government for more consultations on labour
issues.
Employers
unanimously agreed that the vision of industrial development can be
achieved only when workers’ interest coincides and taken into account in
a holistic manner.
The
Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Smt Gauri Kumar said that
the Minister (MOLE) has all sincere intent of getting stakeholders on
board. Mentioning the meeting held with state secretaries today she
talked about initiatives to bring about more transparency and
accountability as well as making the labour administration more
effective. She also invited the employers and workers join MOLE in this
movement. She informed that the Ministry is working on a National
Identity Card for unorganized workers with portability features and
including Jan-Dhan initiative and the ministry would urge all
stakeholders to come on board to make it a success.
Shri
Bandaru Dattatreya said that he was happy to see the increased positive
response from Trade Unions. The key focus for the Ministry is
employment generation for the youth. Increasing competitiveness and
skill training is our challenge to fulfill the aspiration of the new
generation. He mentioned the initiative by the Government to bring a
National Vocational Training Institute. He emphasized the need for
consultations so that points and concerns may be taken up to move
forward. Government is neutral and is committed to transparency and
accountability.
Minister
reiterated the commitment of the government to take forward the
consultative mechanism and thanked the social partners for the
constructive deliberations. He said that interest of labour is paramount
for the Government. He invited the social partners to join this
movement of nation building.
From
Employers Group following organizations attended the meeting: Council
of Indian Employers, All India Manufacturers’ Organization, Laghu Udhyog
Bharati, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry,
Confederation of Indian Industry, The Associated Chambers of Commerce
& Industry of India, FASII.
From
Workers Group following organizations attended the meeting: Bharatiya
Mazdoor Sangh, Indian National Trade Union Congress, All India Trade
Union Congress, Hind Mazdoor Sabha, Centre of Indian Trade Unions, All
India United Trade Union Centre, Trade Union Co-ordination Centre
(TUCC), Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), All India Central
Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU), Labour Progressive Federation (LPF),
United Trades Union Congress (UTUC) and National Front of Indian Trade
Unions –Dhanbad (NFITU-DHN).
