New Delhi: Indians living abroad can now exercise their Right to Information (RTI) through an electronic service started by the government.
A service to facilitate eIPO (Electronic Indian Postal), for payment of fee to get the information under the transparency law, has been extended to all Indian Missions, according to an order issued by Ministry of Personnel.
The decision came after it was felt by the government that Indian citizens living abroad were facing difficulties in payment of fees for accessing information from Indian Missions or Posts abroad as the facility of e-IPO was not available with them.
"In order to facilitate for obtaining the information under the RTI Act, 2005 by the Indian citizen living abroad from Indian Missions or Posts under Ministry of External Affairs, the facility of e-IPO is extended to 176 Indian Missions or Posts," the order said.
The eIPOs can be purchased after payment through debit or credit cards.
An user needs to get one-time registration at websites-- www.Epostoffice.Gov.In or www.Indiapost.Gov.In-- and complete necessary formalities. After that eIPOs can be generated.
If the RTI application is being filed electronically, e-IPO, is required to be attached as an attachment," it said.
The facility is only for purchasing an Indian Postal Order electronically.
All the requirements for filing an RTI application as well as other provisions regarding eligibility, time limit, exemptions etc, as provided in the RTI Act, 2005 will continue to apply, the Ministry has said.
The facility of eIPO was first launched on March 22. "It is a landmark step towards transparency regime," said Commodore (Retd) Lokesh K Batra, who strived hard to get the facility started for Indians living abroad.
