Public Information Officers
Kerala • Local Self Government Institution
Sreemoolanagaram Grama Panchayat
📘 Right to Information Act
The Right to Information Act is intended to provide citizens with access to information held by public authorities and to promote transparency and accountability in the functioning of government institutions. It also provides for the constitution of the Central Information Commission and State Information Commissions, along with related and incidental matters, thereby establishing an effective administrative framework for exercising the right to know.
📂 What is meant by "Information"?
"Information" means any material in any form, including records, documents, memos, emails, opinions, advice, press releases, circulars, orders, logbooks, contracts, reports, papers, samples, models and data material held in electronic form. It also includes information relating to any private body which can be accessed by a public authority under any other law for the time being in force.
✉️ Application for Obtaining Information
A person who wishes to obtain information shall submit an application in writing or through electronic means, in English or Malayalam, along with an application fee of Rs. 10/-, to the Public Information Officer or Assistant Public Information Officer.
Persons living below the poverty line (BPL) are exempted from payment of the application fee and additional charges for obtaining information, provided they submit valid proof of their BPL status. The applicant must produce the appropriate certificate to claim the fee exemption.
⏱️ Disposal of Applications
Days
Time limit for providing information in ordinary applications
Hours
For information concerning the life or liberty of a person
Appellate Authority
The name and address of the appellate authority must be mentioned in the reply
Upon receipt of an application, the Public Information Officer shall, as expeditiously as possible and in any case within 30 days of receiving the application, either provide the information upon payment of the prescribed fee or reject the application for any of the reasons specified under Sections 8 and 9 of the Right to Information Act, 2005.
However, where the information sought concerns the life or liberty of a person, it shall be provided within 48 hours of receipt of the application.
The reply must also clearly mention the name and address of the Appellate Authority.
₹ Fee Details
| Particulars | Fee |
|---|---|
| Application fee (Court Fee Stamp may be affixed on the application) | Rs. 10/- |
| For each A4-size page | Rs. 2/- |
| Inspection of records (first hour) | Free |
| For every subsequent 30 minutes or fraction thereof | Rs. 10/- |
| For CDs, floppy disks, etc. | Rs. 50/- |
| For samples, models, etc. | Actual cost |
▤ When Records Are Not Available
If the requested records cannot be traced even after a reasonable search, if their retention period has expired, or if the records do not exist, the applicant must be informed with valid reasons that the requested information cannot be provided. Decisions taken in good faith under such circumstances are protected by law. If the information cannot be provided, any fee collected from the applicant must be refunded.
▥ Information Regarding Development Projects
Information relating to the implementation of development projects must be displayed transparently and in a simple manner at the project site. Technical and financial details must be published along with administrative proceedings. Transparency guidelines must be followed in this process. Administrative information and meeting proceedings of the Grama Sabha, Local Self Government Institution and transferred institutions must be published in a manner accessible to the public.
🏛️ Right to Information Officers
Officers responsible for providing information to the public
State Public Information Officer
Sreemoolanagaram P.O.
Ernakulam District
PIN: 683580 ☎ Phone: 9496045843
Assistant State Public Information Officer
Sreemoolanagaram P.O.
Ernakulam District
PIN: 683580 ☎ Phone: 0484 2600554
⚖️ Appellate Authorities
First Appellate Authority
Office of the Assistant Director
Local Self Government Department
Civil Station, Thrikkakara P.O.
Kakkanad, Ernakulam District
PIN: 682030
Second Appellate Authority
Office of the Chief Information Commissioner
TC-26/298, Punnan Road
Thiruvananthapuram District
PIN: 695001
