Directions: Read the passage and answer the questions which are given below

The Right to Information Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha in December 2004. It was passed by both houses of Parliament with major amendments in May 2005. The assent of the

President was received on 15th June and the act was notified in the Gazette on 21 st June. The law will become operational by mid-October 2005. This law was passed by Parliament to enable citizens to exercise their fundamental Right to Information held by public authorities all over the country (except Jammu and Kashmir). The RTI Act aims to bring about transparency in the functioning of public authorities, contain corruption and hold governments and their instrumentalities accountable to people. It creates a process for providing information to people.

The RTI Act places a duty on officers to provide information to people both proactively and upon request. It provides for a two-tier appeals mechanism to deal with complaints of unreasonable denial of information by public authorities. This law will have an overriding effect i.e. the Official Secrets Act, 1923 and all other laws and orders passed by governments that restrict information flow to people. It covers offices of Public Authorities established, owned or substantially financed by the Central Government, the State Governments and the Administration of the Union Territories (will include, Panchayats, municipalities and other local bodies).

Any body owned, controlled or substantially financially by these governments is also included. This law will be applicable to. all non-government organisations substantially financed directly or indirectly by these governments. Information relating to a private body that can be accessed by a public authority under any law in force is also covered by the RTI Act.