If in a single application the applicant requests information that relates to the work of several departments, is the PIO responsible for giving all that information within the deadline?
(Last edited: Wednesday, 18 January 2023, 2:15 PM)
Answer:
No, the RTI Act makes it clear that the PIO has the power to transfer an application or parts of it, if this relates to information held by another public authority or relates more closely to the activities of any other public authority [Section 6(3)]. The PIO is not responsible for collecting information from other public authorities especially if it is likely to take more than 30 days to secure such information, it is better to transfer the application to the concerned PIO and inform the applicant about the transfer in writing immediately Section 6 (3). This amounts to action taken in good faith and will not attract any penalty to the PIO.
