Finally, the RTI cell begins to function in KMC

Debarati Chakraborty

Kolkata, April 19: FINALLY the Right to Information (RTI) cell in the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) started to function as the cash collection centre came into existence. Because of its absence previously, the cell was completely inactive and had only been able to forward 18 replies out of 92 applications received.

An officer of the cell said, “The cash collection centre has finally developed. From now onwards, the treasury department will handle the monetary aspect of the RTI cell.”

Although the RTI cell in KMC was inaugurated with great fanfare in January this year, the cash collection centre came into being some five days ago. “The applicants have to pay a certain amount to the KMC in order to procure information through the RTI cell. But unfortunately, there was no such mechanism here. This was stopping us from replying to about 90 applications received so far,” said Pashupati Barik, the State Public Information Officer of the KMC’s RTI cell and the Deputy Municipal Commissioner Personnel.

Sources within the RTI cell said, “Applicants will have to deposit money in the miscellaneous counter of the Treasury Department. The Act states that Rs 2 has to be taken from the applicant for each page of information provided or the actual cost price of the sample. After the applicant deposits this amount, we will provide him with the necessary information.”

Fees structure
* Rs 2 for each page (in A-4 or A-3 size paper) created or copied
* Actual charge or cost price for a copy in large size of paper
* Actual cost price for sample or model
*n Rs 5 for each 15 minutes or fraction thereof for inspection of records
* Rs 15 per diskette or floppy
* Actual charge for publication or Rs 2 per page of photocopy for extracts for information provided


Published in Kolkata Newsline, Indian Express, April 20 2007