Right to Information (RTI)

What is RTI?

Under Article 19-A of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, it is fundamental right of every citizen of Pakistan to have access to information in all matters of public importance subject to regulation and reasonable restriction imposed by law. A citizen in addition to a government department can also have access to information of a private body which is substantially financed by the government. Right to Information Act (RTI) is based upon the principle that citizens being tax payers are owners of public information. RTI boosts transparency, accountability, elimination of corruption and improvement of public service delivery.

How RTI can help you?

The information got through RTI enables citizens to held public officials accountable for their actions, to comment upon their performance, to conduct survey on the basis of data received through RTI and to indicate gaps and weaknesses of public bodies.

The government also benefits from RTI by becoming aware of gaps and weaknesses of public bodies. RTI also helps public officials by making it easier for them to carry out their duties more efficiently.

Vision of Deputy Commissioner Vehari about RTI

Deputy Commissioner Vehari considers that to have an informed society and to hold public functionaries accountable to citizens is paramount consideration of RTI. DC Vehari also considers that time has changed and secrecy and distance from public are no longer compatible with democracy and that role of a Deputy Commissioner is central in a district to ensure improved public services. In order to implement his vision, he has taken the following immediate actions in collaboration with Punjab Information Commission being a regulator of Right to Information law.

Disclosure of Information by DC Office

Information is made public and disclosed by the Deputy Commissioner Officer via two different modes:

Pro-Active Mode of Disclosure (Sec-4 of the Act)

The act provides 13 kinds of basic information regarding each public body which need to be disclosed proactively or voluntarily through official websites. Such information is the introduction of Rules, Regulations and Laws, the Directory of all Officers with their function and powers and detail of all public services rendered by a public body. Such updated information must reflect all the time on official website to facilitate citizens looking for any service from the public body.

Functions of Officers

• Deputy Commissioner
• Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue)
• Additional Deputy Commissioner (General)
• Additional Deputy Commissioner (Finance and Planning)
• Assistant Commissioner (Headquarter)
• Assistant Commissioner (HR and Coordination)
• CEO District Education Authority
• CEO District Health Authority
• District Monitoring Officer
• System Network Administrator

Hierarchy, Functions, Responsibilities, Procedures, and Legal Premise of Branches / Sections of the Public Body

• Establishment Branch
• Nazarat Branch
• General Branch
• Domicile Branch
• NTO Branch
• Colony Branch
• Litigation Branch
• Benevolent Fund Branch
• Arms License Branch
• HRC Brnach
• Diary Branch
• DRA Branch
• Copy Branch
• District Overseas Commission
• Complaint Cell

Core Team, Details of Public Services, Legal Framework, Budget etc.

• Our DCs / DCOs
• Core Team
• Role of DC, ADCs, ACs
• Organogram
• Legal Framework
• Budget
• Initiatives
• Services
• Contact Directory (Directorate Deputy Commissioner Vehari)

Re-Active Mode of Disclosure (Sec-10 of the Act)

Any information is not covered under Sec-4 of the Act hence not proactively disclosed, can be retrieved by filling RTI Application to the PIO designated u/s 7 of the Act. A PIO (Public Information Officer) is officially assigned the task of conduct of RTI business by dealing with all RTI Applications. DC Vehari ensures that PIO for his office and all PIO(s) designated for all other offices under his administrative control must be well-versed with RTI law and preferably trained from Punjab Information Commission to deliver RTI services.

The officers designated by Deputy Commissioner Vehari as Public Information Officer(s) are as under:

Procedure of Filing RTI Application?

A citizen is required to enclose complete documents u/rule/10 (2) of Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Act, 2013 and rule-5(4) under duties of PIO, which include:

• Copy of Identity Card
• Cell Number
• Email address
• Mailing Address

so that your application may be entertained as per law. One can request relevant information for 1 year only u/ rule rule 10(c).

• Application Procedure

Public are also advised to visit RTI Punjab Commission website and fill the online application form to directly submit the application to Commission.