Govt plans panel to see if stamps can be used as RTI fee.

Indian Express: Thiruvanathapuram: Thursday, January 15, 2015.

The government has set-up a committee to examine whether postal stamps can be used as fee along with applications made under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

The government has also invited suggestions from citizens on the matter latest by February 7.

The Central Information Commission, in a 2013 decision, had asked Department of Personnel and Training (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 post offices across the country in different denominations.

The Department of Posts added that RTI applicants would also need to affix the said stamps on the RTI application. It also said that the applicants, by putting signatures or thumb impression on the stamps, shall cancel them to prevent misuse or reuse.