Question

Can PIO refers to give me information?

Answer 1

Hint: PIO deals with a person who requests to seek information and render assistance to the persons seeking such information.

Complete Step by Step Answer: There are three ways through which the Right to Information Act (RTI) can be filed, either directly to the Public Information Officer (PIO) or to PIO through Assistant Public Information Officer (APIO) or to PIO through other public authority. Some major duties and responsibilities of the Public Information Officer are

- It is the duty of the PIO to deal with the requests sent to him either directly or through other public authority and acknowledge them with dates on such requests. He should further provide assistance when an application cannot be made in writing to the person who is making the request orally and reduce the same into writing.
- He is also responsible for the processing of requests and assigns a number to the request made under the RTI Act.
- It is his duty to forward the applications within 48 hours to the concerned department and compile the collected information with the request.
- He can further refer to information that is listed in Section 8 of the RTI Act. These include information prejudicial to security, scientific and economic interest of the country, information received in confidence from foreign governments etc.
- The PIO also has to deliver information and certify the information while providing it to the applicant.
- He can also dispose of requests for information under the RTI Act, either by rejecting the request by providing reasons within the time period stipulated under the Act, Section 7 Clause 1 or by providing the information requested.

Thus, it is the duty of the PIO to refer to information when requested by a citizen of the state.

Note: The Right To Information Act of 2005 empowers the citizens of the state to question the working of the government and its institutions. The RTI is a fundamental right of the people and such provisions are mentioned in Article 19 Clause 1 of the Indian Constitution.