Frivolous RTI applicants to be penalised?

New Delhi, Oct 13: Despite of getting several advantages from RTI, M M Ansari, one official at the Central Information Commission, supported government's proposal to restrict "frivolous and vexatious" RTI applications.

Ansari stated, "Even though the net benefit of the use of the information laws may be higher than the cost to the society, there is need to discourage frivolous and vexatious applications."

He also informed, "the cost to the government in servicing an RTI application varies between Rs 10 to Rs 30,000, the ultimate burden of which is borne by the tax payer."

Government already proposed to make amendments in the RTI Act to curb vexatious and frivolous applications but all Information Commissioners from across the country in 2009 strongly opposed the proposal.

OneIndia News