If the applicant does not respond to the intimation letter of the PIO requesting payment of an additional fee, will the PIO be duty-bound to provide information to the applicant?
(Last edited: Wednesday, 18 January 2023, 2:15 PM)
Answer:
Question: Is the PIO duty-bound to provide information within 30 days even in such cases?
Answer: No. The PIO does not have a duty to provide information to the applicant in such cases. The RI Act states very clearly that the PIO will provide access to information only upon payment of additional fee as may be determined [Sec. 7(1)] by him/her. However, if the PIO does not receive a response to his/her intimation letter from the applicant then the PIO need not take any action.. This action of the PIO will not amount to unreasonable denial of information and will therefore not invite any penalty. It is advisable for the Government to specify the time period limit for such cases in the rues or in the guidelines.
