Subject: Objection to PIO’s act of calling RTI applicant for inspection instead of providing requested information

1. The applicant alleges that the PIO is causing harassment by asking for inspection instead of providing the information.
2. RTI Act has no provision that mandates or allows calling the applicant for inspection — such action is misleading and punishable.
3. As per the RTI Act, the responsibility lies with the PIO to search for and provide the requested information.
4. If the information is brief, it should be provided free of cost rather than wasting public money on postage, per circular dated 06.09.2008.
5. BMC circular of November 2009 clearly states that RTI applicants should not be called for inspection.
6. The reply did not include the email ID as required under circular dated 19.12.2015.
7. If photocopy charges are applicable, a challan must be sent within 10 days of receiving the RTI request, per the rules.
8. It is requested that the PIO be trained regularly to avoid further harassment and legal violations.