Delay in issuing stamp for RTI application fee

Press Trust Of India; New Delhi; September 22, 2010;

The proposal for issuing a stamp of Rs 10 to be used as fee for filing applications under the Right to Information Act is pending before the Department of Posts for a year now.

At present, a person has to either use a postal order or deposit Rs 10 in cash with the concerned department to get information under the Act.

"CIC has received recommendation to make stamp of Rs 10 for RTI. We have forwarded a letter to Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) to act on it," Chief Information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah told PTI.

The DoPT acts as nodal agency for work related to RTI Act.

Many RTI activists, including Anna Hazare and Information Commissioner Shailesh Gandhi, had made a recommendation for such a stamp three years ago. The matter is now oscillating between the DoPT and the Postal Department.

"We have received a request on making a stamp of Rs 10 for RTI. We have written a letter to DoP as they are responsible for making postal stamps," said G K Verma, Director for RTI Matters in DoPT said, adding the stamp is not ready yet.

The proposed RTI stamp is to be made on the lines of Revenue Stamp and Central Revenue Fee stamp (CRFS).

Activists have stressed for RTI stamp to popularise the Act and make it more effective among the masses, especially in rural areas. They want it to be available in post offices, Tehsil and Panchayat offices and banks to facilitate hassle-free implementation of Act.

The money received through sale of such stamps should be utilised in creating awareness for the Act, the activists have said.