How To File Passport RTI Online ?

Owing to the Right to Information (RTI) Act of 2005, every citizen of India have the right to request the Passport Office to reveal any information that is under the person’s right to knowledge. To exercise RTI for obtaining information, the individual must send a written request or email to the Chief Public Information Officer of the CPV Division of Ministry of External Affairs.

Filing an Application under RTI with the CPV Division

The following instructions enable a person to file an RTI:

• The individual must first submit an application for obtaining information. For information sought under Section 6 subsection 1, as per the Gazette notification that is issued by the Indian Government's Department of Personnel & Training Ministry of Personnel of Public Grievances and Pension, the prescribed fee that has to be paid is Rs.10.

• For written RTI applications submitted at the CPV Division in Patiala House, New Delhi, the applicant has the option of paying the application fee either in cash or through Demand Draft or Banker’s Cheque or Indian Postal Order, drawn in favor of the Accounts Officer of Ministry of External Affairs, and it should be payable at New Delhi.

• For applications that are being physically submitted at the RPOs, the fee is to be either in cash or through DD or Banker’s Cheque or Indian Postal Order drawn in favor of the Passport Officer of the Passport Office, and it should be payable at the city where the PO is located. The fee can be paid via internet banking or credit/debit card in case the application is made through the web portal. People in the BPL category do not have to pay the application fee, provided that the necessary documents (income proof) are submitted during application.

The Department of Personnel and Training of the Ministry of Personnel under the Public Grievances and Pension of the Indian Government has mandated that for obtaining information under Section 7 subsection 1 & 5, an additional fee is charged in the following manner:

• Subsection (1) of Section 7:

  1. For each page created/copied in A-4 or A-3 size paper – Rs.2.

  2. For copies in papers of larger size – actual cost price.

  3. For samples/models – actual cost price.

  4. For inspection of records – the first hour is free and subsequently Rs.5 per hour after that.

• Subsection (5) of Section 7:

  1. For information provided in a CD – Rs.50.

  2. For information provided in print – Rs.2 per page.

  3. The mode of payment for these additional fees is the same as that of the application fees. If additional fees are required to be paid, the concerned authority informs the applicant about the requirement.

When Can One File an Appeal?

An appeal can be filed with the Appellate Authority by the applicant within 30 days of the following instances:

• A decision has not been notified to the applicant within the time specified under Subsection-1 or Clause-a of Subsection-3 of Section 7.

• The applicant is wronged or dissatisfied by the decision of the Public Information Officer (PIO).

The Format for RTI Application

RTI applications are to be written in a particular format and sent to the Chief Public Information Officer or the Public Information Officer. Here is the format:

 

To,

The Chief Public Information Officer (CPIO) /Public Information Officer (PIO)

CPV Division/Regional Passport Office/Passport Office (whichever is applicable)

• Applicant’s details

• Applicant's full name as it appears in official records (in capital letters)

• Father's or Husband's Name as it appears in official records (in capital letters)

• Complete address with are Pin code as mentioned in official documents (identity and address proof)

• Telephone Number for contact

• Details of Application Fee

• Cash Receipt/DD/BankersCheque /IPO No

• Date Name of the issuing

• Bank/Authority

• Amount (Rs.)_______ (Candidates belonging to BPL category must attach a copy of the BPL / Antyodaya ration card to claim a waiver of the application fee)

• Particulars of the information required - enclose separate sheet, if required; indicate specific details of information required; also mention the preferred medium (inspection/photocopy/softcopy)

DECLARATION

I state that the information sought does not fall within the restriction contained in Section 8 & 9 of the RTI Act and to the best of my knowledge, it pertains to your office.

Place:_________

Date:___________

Contact Details

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The RTI Act of 2005 says that the applicant must write to the people who occupy posts which have the authority to provide them with the desired information. Here is a comprehensive list of the official contact information of various relevant officials