Lok Sabha Secretariat has mailed a demand-letter of just rupees two towards copying charges for one document requested to be sent under ‘Right To Information (RTI) Act’. The Secretariat will have to spend rupees twenty four (forty-six for non-local) towards two-time Speed Post, while the petitioner spending rupees twelve to send a postal-order of rupees two apart from spending valuable time of both the Lok Sabha Secretariat and the petitioner. A slight modification in RTI rules should be made to provide up to six pages of copied documents free-of-charge after which full cost inclusive of first six pages may be charged. This will not only speed up completion of providing information, but will not affect financially to public-authorities because first sending a demand-note and then sending documents by post requires much more amount than Rs. 12 as cost of first six pages suggested to be provided free. All RTI correspondence should be through fast and economical Speed Post.
Subhash C. Agrawal
Delhi