Proactive Disclosure under the RTI Act

Proactive disclosure means publishing information held by a public authority without waiting for an individual to file an RTI application. Section 4 of the Right to Information Act, 2005 combines duties concerning records management, institutional publication, policy transparency and accessible dissemination, thereby reducing the need for formal applications.

Records management and computerisation

Under Section 4(1)(a), every public authority must maintain its records duly catalogued and indexed in a manner that facilitates access. Records suitable for computerisation must be computerised within a reasonable time, subject to resources, and connected through networks to facilitate nationwide access.

Institutional information to be published

Under Section 4(1)(b), every public authority had to publish specified institutional information within 120 days of the Act's enactment and must update it annually.

• It must disclose its organisation, functions and duties, along with the powers and duties of its officers and employees.
• It must explain its decision-making procedure, channels of supervision and accountability, working norms, applicable rules and the categories of documents held or controlled by it.
• It must disclose arrangements for public consultation or representation in policy formulation and implementation.
• It must provide details of boards, councils, committees and other bodies constituted by it, including whether their meetings are open to the public or their minutes are accessible.
• It must publish a directory of officers and employees, their monthly remuneration and the system of compensation provided under its regulations.
• It must disclose agency-wise budgets, plans, proposed expenditure and reports on disbursements.
• It must explain the manner of executing subsidy programmes, including amounts allocated and details of beneficiaries, and identify recipients of concessions, permits or authorisations.
• It must disclose information available electronically, facilities for citizens to obtain information, including libraries or reading rooms, and the names, designations and other particulars of Public Information Officers.
• It must also publish any other information prescribed by rules.

Policy transparency and accessible dissemination

• Under Section 4(1)(c), all relevant facts must be published while formulating important policies or announcing decisions affecting the public.
• Under Section 4(1)(d), affected persons must be given reasons for administrative or quasi-judicial decisions.
• Under Section 4(2), public authorities must continuously endeavour to provide as much information suo motu as possible at regular intervals, including through the internet, so that people need minimal recourse to RTI applications.
• Information must be disseminated widely in a cost-effective and easily accessible form, considering the local language and the most effective communication method in the local area.
• Dissemination may use notice boards, newspapers, public announcements, media broadcasts, the internet or inspection of public-authority offices.
• Information should, as far as possible, be available electronically with the designated information officer, free of cost or at the prescribed cost after considering the medium used.