-: [rti4empowerment] RTIFED CORRESSPONDENCE - Wonder System - Introduction of Postal Stamps as RTI Fee/Cost - Seeking Comments from Public [1 Attachment]

Sunday, January 18, 2015

[rti4empowerment] RTIFED CORRESSPONDENCE - Wonder System - Introduction of Postal Stamps as RTI Fee/Cost - Seeking Comments from Public [1 Attachment]

[Attachment(s) from RTIFED - Surendera M. Bhanot included below]

THIS COMMUNICATION IS ATTACHED AS A PDF FILE FOR DOWNLOAD AND PROCESSING AND EXAMINATION

RTIFED/RTI Fee thru' Postage Stamps/2015/0108
18 January 2015

THROUGH E-MAIL

Shri R.K. Girdhar,

Under Secretary (RTI), Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievance and Pensions

Department of Personnel and Training (IR Division)

North Block, New Delhi

usrti-dopt@nic.in

Wonder System

Introduction of Postal Stamps as RTI Fee/Cost - Seeking Comments from Public

Hon'ble Sirs,

Please refer to the Circular No.1/3/2014-IR dated 14 January 2015 of Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievance and Pensions, Department of Personnel and Training (IR Division) Government of India New Delhi regarding "INTRODUCTION OF POSTAL STAMPS AS RTI FEE/COST - SEEKING COMMENTS FROM PUBLIC".

It is a good proposal for the ease of everybody.

However, I'm rather surprised that instead jumping to grab the opportunity of increased business, India Post is shirking to accept it. Instead, they are out to sell their own dead stock through RTI route, which may further complicate the things for every Tom, Dick, and Harry.

It is shocking that while the India Post is offering personalized Postage Stamps to the public through their service of "MY STAMP[1]", they are shying away from a big business opportunity.

"My Stamp" is the brand name for personalized sheets of Postage Stamps of India Post. The personalization is achieved by printing a thumb nail photograph of the customer images and logos of institutions, or images of artwork, heritage buildings, famous tourist places, historical cities, wildlife, other animals and birds etc., alongside the selected Commemorative Postage Stamp.

The India Post is need to be taken to task forth is hiatus.

The ordinary Postage Stamps are prone to be duplicated in this era of technology. So mere selling the stamps across the counter will not be a viable arrangement. The cancellation of the stamps shroud also be done at the counter by affixing Post Office Stamp on them. For this the stamps must be affixed on a sheet of paper (bearing a serial number, if possible) and the post office cancellation be done at post office, so that these could not be reused. That Cancelled sheet be attached with the RTI Application and the Public Authorities may submit those sheets to Post Office for reimbursement. For this Service India Post may charge an additional fee of Re. 1.00 for every 10.00 rupees worth of stamps issued. This will solve the problem of accounting also and the provision of Section n 25(3)(e) of the Right to Information Act, 2005 will not be required to be amended. Only Rules may be amended. The State, too, will be able to take benefit of this service by amending their respective Right to Information Rules.

These stamps can also be used for the purpose of payment of 'Additional Fee' too.

The receipt of this communication may please be acknowledged.

The decision or action taken on this communication may invariably be communicated to RTIFED in due course. While rejoining, the number and date of this communication may please invariably be mentioned.

This communication is sent through electronic media and as such does not warrant any signature.

Thanking you & with Warm Regards,

Very cordially yours,

Surendera M. Bhanot

President RTIFED[2]

9888-810-811

rtifed@gmail.com

Enclosure: as stated please.

This Mail in original is also sent through e-mail to:

- Central/State Chief Information Commission; in the country

- Secretary, Department of Personnel & Training GOI New Delhi;

- A copy is also sent to all RTI Activists and RTI NGOs as well as Human NGOs for making similar plea to concerned authorities in their state/area of operation.

THIS COMMUNICATION IS ATTACHED AS A PDF FILE FOR DOWNLOAD AND PROCESSING AND EXAMINATION

[1] India Post "MY STAMP" - details can be viewed at http://postagestamps.gov.in/MyStamp.aspx

[2]RTIFED (formerly known as RTI Activists' Federation and conceived and founded by the legendary Advocate H.C. Arora) is a body looking after the rights of the RTI Applicants and keeping an eye over the happenings of the RTI related matters in various states.