Microsoft Word - RTI Gateway - User's Manual

8/2/2019 Microsoft Word - RTI Gateway - User's Manual

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A USERS MANUALA USERS MANUALA USERS MANUALA USERS MANUAL


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Gateway onGateway onGateway onGateway on

Right to InformationRight to InformationRight to InformationRight to Information

A USERS MANUALA USERS MANUALA USERS MANUALA USERS MANUAL


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Table of Contents

Sl.

No.Topics

Pg.

No.

-- List of Abbreviations and Acronyms --

1. Background and Introduction 1

2. Features of the Gateway 2-15

4.Using the Centrally-sponsored Plan Scheme Online Reporting and

Monitoring System (CSPS-ORMS)16-20

--Annexure: More about the Knowledge Partner and National Resource

Centre (KP & NRC).21-24


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List of Abbreviations and Acronyms

APIOAssistant Public Information

Officer(s)KP Knowledge Partner

CBAICapacity Building for Access

to InformationMoPPGP

Ministry of Personnel,

Public Grievances and

Pensions

CGGCentre for Good Governance

[Hyderabad]NIA

National Implementing

Agency

CICCentral Information

CommissionNRC National Resource Centre

CSO Civil Society Organisation(s) PAPublic Authority /

Authorities

DoPTDepartment of Personnel

and Training (DoPT)PIO

Public Information

Officer(s)

FAAFirst Appellate Authority /

AuthoritiesRTI Right to Information

GoI Government of India SICState Information

Commission

IC Information Commission(s) UNDPUnited Nations

Development Programme


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1

Background and Introduction

In January 2010, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoP&T), Ministry of

Personnel, Pensions and Public Grievances (MoPP&PG), Government of India (GoI)

commenced work on the Right to Information Gateway. This initiative has been

taken up under the Centrally-Sponsored Plan Scheme on Right to

Information (CSPS RTI).

The execution of this initiative would be carried out through DoP&Ts formal

association with the Centre for Good Governance (CGG), Hyderabad. Toward this,

CGG, Hyderabad has been designated as the Knowledge Partner and National

Resource Centre (KP & NRC).

This assignment came to be undertaken in the wake of the conclusion in December

2009 of the earlier nation-wide Capacity Building for Access to Information

(CBAI) Project jointly sponsored by DoP&T and the United Nations Development

Programme (UNDP), India. The idea of CSPSRTI is to build on the good work toward

capacity building of all stakeholders carried out under CBAI Project.

A most crucial deliverable for CGG, Hyderabad under the KP & NRC assignment is to

launch a Gateway on RTI, which is essentially a Knowledge and Networking portal

and a one-stop-source for multifarious valuable resources on RTI on the web and

references to those available offline. The web URL for this Gateway is

www.rtigateway.org.in or www.rti.org.in

This Users Manual has been prepared to aid all the visitors and / or users

to benefit from and contribute to the various resources offered on and / or

accessible through the Gateway on RTI.

We request all our friends, well-wishers, networked resource persons all users /

visitors of this Gateway portal to benefit form the various resources the Gateway

would host and contribute relevant inputs, as much as they can, to make this

Gateway portal more and more helpful to all. On our part we shall keep you posted,

through this Portal, on what KP & NRC is up to and other highlights pertaining to the

implementation of the CSPS on RTI.


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Features of the Gateway on RTI

www.rtigateway.org.in / www.rti.org.in

Home Page

Home Page

RTI Logo [top-left-corner]

The Home Page provides a snapshot of all the key components of the Gateway. The

RTI logo which has been adopted by the Government of India is displayed below.

A very simple and iconic logo. A sheet of paper with information on it, and

the authority figure behind it providing the information. This represents


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the two key stakeholders in the process of sharing information under the

RTI Act, 2005. The lines of information on the sheet of paper are rendered

in a manner that makes it look transparent, showing through the form of i

from behind.

The solid form of i is a very simplistic portrayal of the human form and can

also be related to the i for information. As a form, the logo is very simple in

its shape and structure making it easy to remember, recall and replicate

with minimal distortion. The bright blue colour stands for transparency and

purity (free from malpractices) of process.

Web Resources

This component provides direct State-wise-links to such key resources on RTI on the

worldwide web as websites of the Nodal Department on RTI, Information

Commission (IC), Administrative Training Institute (ATI), and Civil Society

Organisations (CSOs) working on RTI / Social Accountability.

Web Resources

Web Resources

Key resources available on the

worldwide web have beenlinked in a manner that they

can be accessed State-wise.


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Information made available by these organisations from time to time would be of

help to Public Authorities (PAs); Public Information Officers (PIOs) [designated and

deemed]; Assistant Public Information Officers (APIOs); First Appellate Authorities

(FAAs) among others.

As for the latter category, any organisation, working on RTI, not listed here, but

wishing to be linked from the Gateway through this key component may write to us

at [email protected].

Digital Library

The component on Digital Library comprises soft copies of the RTI Act, 2005 in

various languages, Rules of Appropriate Governments and Competent Authorities,

Guides / Handbooks / Manuals on the RTI Act, 2005.

For various stakeholder categories; Audio-Visuals on RTI and many other references

collected over time. The Digital Library is the most dynamic resource-component of

the RTI Gateway and would continue to be augmented over time.

Digital Library

Digital Library


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RTI Act & Rules

A copy of the Bare Act as enacted is available in the official language of the State

as one of the links on the webpage that opens up after clicking on a given State on

the map.

Clicking on a State on the map, enables access to the Rules of the Appropriate

Government and the Competent Authority as applicable.

Central Rules are accessible if one is to click on Delhi-on-the-map or on any of the

Union Territories-on-the-map.

Note: Updating this resource would be an activity that would be carried out by the

KP & NRC team from time-to-time.

Note: A particular link may be temporarily disabled for the purpose of updation or

maintenance.

Any such or other issue, say a gap or a discrepancy or a misrepresentation may be

brought to our notice at Tel.: 040 -23541978 / 07 or Fax.: 040 -23541953 or e-Mail

ID: [email protected]

Case Law Directory

This resource builds on the effort under the earlier Capacity Building for Access to

Information Project of DoPT, GoI. Key decisions of the Central Information

Commission (CIC); the State Information Commissions (SICs); the High Courts and

also of the Supreme Court are summarised and documented.

Guides / Handbooks

These are the useful reference material prepared by CGG, Hyderabad for the key

stakeholder categories of the RTI implementation regime under CBAI Project. The

publications of CGG, Hyderabad under this sub-component include:


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A guide for Public Authorities, Public Information Officers & AppellateAuthorities

A Guide for Civil Society Organisations A Guide for Media Organisations RTI Act, 2005 Annual Report of Information Commissions - A Guide Trainer's Handbook Audit of Proactive Disclosure - A Toolkit Audit of Section 4(1)(b) Disclosure - A Framework A Citizen's Guide on RTI Act, 2005

These are freely downloadable and can be used by any stakeholder for a variety of

purposes including during training programmes, workshops, seminars, awareness

camps etc. Acknowledging DoPT & CGG, Hyderabad would be appreciated, if this

reference material is to be used. Other important reference material collected, in

future, will be added as and when collected by KP & NRC.

Presentations

This sub-component comprises a set of presentations covering in parts the RTI

Act, 2005 on the whole. These are freely downloadable can be used by any

stakeholder for a variety of purposes including during training programmes,

workshops, seminars, awareness camps etc. Acknowledging DoPT, GoI & CGG,

Hyderabad if these presentations are used would be appreciated.

VariousArticles on RTI by resource persons in CGG, Hyderabad and other experts /

practitioners / researchers / commentators; a note on RTI Footprints; References

in various languages submitted to CGG, Hyderabad by its partner institutions;

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs); and documented Good Practices and

Success Stories. All these are also freely downloadable and can be used for a

variety of purposes.

A set of Audio Visuals received from various partner institutions have also been

uploaded as part of the Digital Library and can be freely downloaded. These are

available in several languages.


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Various Templates / Formats for making applications, filing appeals that could

be of aid to citizen-applicants-appellants in exercise of their rights under the RTI

Act, 2005. DoPTs RTI Posters in various languages and similar other inputs from

other sources are also placed here. Finally, the Digital Library also has a collection of

news items on RTI collected for several years and presented as News Archives,

which are also freely downloadable.

The News Archives sub-component is in addition to the News RSS Feeds feature,

a component linked from the Home Page, which funnels on to the portal home page,

the daily news on RTI appearing anywhere on the worldwide web.

News RSS Feeds

News RSS Feeds

Other relevant inputs / documents would be placed in the Digital Library from time to

time.

Note: Updating all the said sub-components of the Digital Library component is and

would be an ongoing activity for the KP & NRC team from time-to-time.

This links dynamically to all RTI-related news published on theworldwide web on a given day.The record may be stored for a

day or two based on the volume


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Note: A particular link may be temporarily disabled for the purpose of updation or

maintenance. Any such or other issue, say a gap or a discrepancy or a mis-

representation may be brought to our notice at Tel.: 040 -23541978 / 07 or Fax.:

040 -23541953 or e-Mail ID: [email protected]

All suggestions on the Digital Library or otherwise are also welcome.

Directory of Resource Persons

This is a facility provided to have a single-click-simple-database of as many resource

persons on Right to Information as possible, with the information collected and

projected in such a manner that their services can be secured by any stakeholder

institutions in a most efficient, economical and time-saving manner. Decisions in this

regard can, especially be taken in view of the base / place of work of the resource

person as also ones experience / expertise with regard to providing a particular

service / producing a particular deliverable related to RTI.

This facility, thus, provides for two options: registering for being entered into the

Directory and viewing the directory, State- / Union Territory-wise.

Directory of RTI Resource Persons

Directory of RTI Resource Persons


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Newsletter

A monthly e-Newsletter titled RTI TIMES is another significant feature that

continues from the CBAI project into the KP & NRC assignment. Auto-e-mail facility

has been provided for the e-Newsletter.

One can, thus, register with us (on this webpage) for being added to the mailing list

of the e-Newsletter. All contributions for the e-Newsletter are most welcome.

E-Newsletter

E-Newsletter

Earlier Newsletters have been archived on this webpage. These are downloadable as

pdf files.

Online Certificate Course on Right to Information (OCC_RTI)

This is a separate initiative of DoPT, GoI, which for obvious reasons has been nested

on the Gateway. This is a 15-day Course which constitutes:

A 12-day Study; and A 3-day Course-end Examination.

Clicking here opens thewebpage containing links to

RTI Times editions of KP &NRC as also the archives of

RTI Times.


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OCC_RTI

OCC_RTI

OCC_RTI

OCC_RTI

Clicking would take the visitorto another dedicated websitewith the URL:http:rtiocc.cgg.gov.in

This marquee on the Home Pageannounces the existing status ofregistration


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OCC_RTI

OCC_RTI

The '12-day (first 12 days) study' is offered in the form of 4 Modules and 12

Chapters (3 Chapters per Module). Together these cover the 'RTI Act, 2005'; its

genesis; and its related aspects in their entirety.

'Chapter-specific-multiple-choice-quizzes' and an 'always-on-discussion-forum' are

the key value-enhancers of this initiative. The quizzes provide a candidate with an

opportunity to self-assess, step-by-step, her / his understanding of the Act, whereas,

the discussion forum (facilitated by moderators) helps a candidate to get her / his

doubts / queries addressed; or share her / his experiences; or offer any other

relevant or related inputs.

All the discussion that takes place among the candidates of a given batch and / or

the moderators is recorded day-wise and made available - as such - for the

candidates of a batch during the first 12 days. This has been done for the benefit of

those who cannot access this application everyday and / or for the whole day. That

said, the Course is open "24 x 7" throughout the 15 days of a given batch.


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Moving from one chapter to another is contingent on answering correctly 2-out-of-3

quiz-questions-per-Chapter and 7-out-of-9 quiz-questions-per-Module. It is only

after a candidate achieves this for all the 12 Chapters (and all the 4 Modules) that he

/ she can qualify for the 'Course-end Examination'.

The '3-day Course-end Examination' comprises 4 questions (2 each) based on 2

brief-case-narratives -- answers to which are expected to be descriptive and to

reflect an understanding of various key provisions of the Act and related aspects like

Rules of Appropriate Governments (AGs); key decisions of CIC etc.

Registration for this Course, whenever it is underway is announced on the Gateway

Home Page; on DoPTs RTI-related website www.rti.gov.in; and on the website of

CGG, Hyderbad www.cgg.gov.in

A 'Course-completion-Certificate' is issued to only those candidates who score 50%

or above (on the 100-mark-Course-end Examination). Depending upon how much a

candidate scores above 50%, he / she gets awarded Grade A [80% and above] / B

[60% to 79%] / C [50% to 59%]. Accordingly, a certificate gets automatically

generated (after evaluation) and dispatched to the e-mail of the candidate.

Flexibility is built into the application, both, for studying the Chapters / Modules and

for taking the Course-end Examination. A candidate can do so any time and for any

length of time (during the respective 12- and 3-day-durations). One or more or all

the 12 chapters can be studied in one go or in multiple sittings.

It has been indicated, however, that a candidate proceed @-of-a-chapter-a-day so

that he / she can, simultaneously, peruse the reference material provided in the e-

application as well. The Course-end examination too can be taken in one sitting or in

a staggered manner. There are no qualifications for registering for this Course.

Candidates selected in a batch are broadly divided in two categories: (serving)

'Government Employees' (including those designated as APIOs / PIOs / FAAs under

the Act) and 'Others'. The 'Others' category includes teachers; scientists; lawyers;

consultants; doctors etc. from the private sector as also students; housewives;

researchers etc.).


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On this forum, one can share any relevant and related inputs on issues pertaining to

RTI. Following are the thematic areas under which queries can be posted:

Definitions & Concepts in RTI Act, 2005; Roles and / or Responsibilities of Key Actors of the RTI Implementation

Regime;

Key processes Applications, Complaints and Appeals; and Exemptions Information & Organisations.

As a member of this Discussion Forum, one can share ones experiences as

mentioned earlier. Information shared will be viewable by all the members of the

Forum on which it has been posted.

One can also access the discussion that has already taken place. Notes of the

discussion shall be stored under the aforesaid specific themes. One would also be

able to receive regular alerts from the moderator on new queries and newly posted

documents on the Portal as such.

RTI BLOG

A Blog facility has also been provided for members who would want to create a Blog

of their own. Blogs or Posts can be uploaded only after one is registered with us.

Blog (on RTI)

Blog (on RTI)


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It is, however, open to any visitor visiting the Gateway or the Blog web page to offer

her / his comments on a(ny) Blog(s) posted by members.

KP & NRC Help Desk

All inputs on the RTI Gateway are most welcome at our Help Desk. A prompt

response is assured. The e-Mail ID is [email protected]

KP & NRC Help Desk

KP & NRC Help Desk


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Using the Project Reporting and Monitoring System Centrally-

sponsored Plan Scheme (PRMS CSPS)

This section is only for those entities which have received Funds from

DoP&T (RTI and / or Training Divisions) under CSPS - RTI.

Typically, these include State Administrative Training Institutions (ATIs)

and Information Commissions.

This deliverable relates to the Project Management responsibilities of the

Knowledge Partner and is a tool for reporting physical and financial status

only of activities taken up under CSPS RTI.

PRMS CSPS on Gateway Home Page

This link is to be use to reportphysical and financialprogress with the utilisation

of funds under CSPS RTI


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Note: Delete Component / Activity option is also available.

Add Component

Add Activity

Select Addcomponent fromthe menu. Enterthe name of the

component. If youhave more thanone component,

select Add morecomponents and

Submit.

To add an Activity name, select Component. The pre-defined componentsare displayed. Select either of them and then type an activity performedagainst the component and click on Submit. Continue to Add moreactivities similarly if any.


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Note: The Utilisation Certificate to be uploaded could be a scanned copy.

Note: The Help Menu next to the Reports Menu provided inputs on changingpassword.

Reports

Upload Utilisation Certificate

Select Reports from the Menu. Select the year. All the

data entered against each component is displayed asshown below. Select Print to take a print of the report

After the Physical & Financial Progress Entryis done. Select Upload Utilisation Certificate(UC) from the menu. Select Year,

Installment and component. Theexpenditure made is displayed. Upload thescanned copy of the UC (OR) the soft copyand click on submit.


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Annexure

More about KP & NRC

In its role as the 'Knowledge Partner and National Resource Centre' (KP & NRC) for

the 'Department of Personnel and Training' (DoPT), Government of India (GoI) the

'Centre for Good Governance (CGG), Hyderabad' would be carrying out such key

functions as:

Creating a Gateway to various resources on RTI; managing the Portalmanagement andproviding technical inputs.

Research, documentation and knowledge management. Providing technical support and advisory services to DoPT and Information

Commissions.

Facilitating stakeholder interactions.About KP & NRC

A knowledge partner, we understand, is an entity that uses its professional

experience in a field to provide support in terms of (a) supplying technical

knowledge, (b) innovating, (c) conducting research and documentation and sharing

the findings, (d) finding solutions and designing customised tools to address various

issues from time to time.

It is under the 'Centrally-sponsored Plan Scheme'(CSPS) of the GoI that the

responsibility of KP & NRC has been assigned to CGG, Hyderabad. Some of the key

deliverables for CGG under this assignment are:

Develop, host and maintain a Common IT Gateway and Digital Library; Online Project Monitoring System to be used by DoPT as a tool for monitoring

the progress of the project;

Advising ICs on innovative use of modern ICTs and the Internet in theinterest of awareness promotion and information management;

Developing a 'Digital Library', which would be a repository of relevant andrelated resources and sources on RTI, especially, those that are available on

the worldwide web. Moreover, it would have a Directory of significant

decisions of Information Commissions in India as also relevant judgments of


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the Union Judiciary (the Supreme Court and the High Courts). These will be

properly indexed and categorised and stored as downloadable PDF files.

The e-library will be a useful as an easily accessible resource for quick

referencing. It would have links to the books, papers, presentations, concept

notes, white papers, status papers, action taken reports, study reports taken

from national and international contexts - available on the web. The library

would host other audio-visual resources on RTI as well.

The IT gateway would, simultaneously, have linkages with State Information

Commissions (in India) and Central / State Administrative Training Institutes.

It would document and compile relevant and related news feeds and good

practices.

DoPT deals with a number of partner agencies and stakeholders in executing its

mandate as the nodal department for implementation of RTI in the country. The

work done by these agencies collectively decides the success of implementation.

Monitoring the work would therefore be a key function of the KP. In doing so, the KP

would be guided by the specifications of CSPS.

An e-tool has been prepared in consultation with DoPT to facilitate online reporting

by various entities of the physical and financial progress of their work under CSPS.This mechanism would also help in preparing Quarterly / Annual Reports on physical

/ financial progress under CSPS.

The Online Certificate Course on RTI which has been developed by CGG for DOPT

and is being administered at present from a distinct URL has also been nested on this

gateway.

Another key feature is the online interactive fora for key stakeholders of the RTI

implementation regime. This facility has been provided to enable issue-specific and

stakeholder-category-specific interactions. Membership of a specifically defined

forum would be restricted to that particular stakeholder group / category only. If,

however, any of these group members would like to discuss a matter of / for general

interest or solicit inputs from the public, they can do so on the Open Forum -

accessible to all the categories as also to the general public.


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A multi disciplinary and well experienced team from CGG would be engaged on this

study. The team would be constituted of a Core Team and a Support Team wherein

each member would be working on the assignment - in a dedicated manner.

To know more, please visit www.rtigateway.org.in or www.rti.org.in

One may also write to [email protected]

About CGG, Hyderabad

CGG aims to be a world-class institution to guide governance reforms in Andhra

Pradesh, other states in India and the developing world at large, by bringing

together and harnessing the power of knowledge, technology and people for good

governance. CGG strives to be among the very best in the world in the area of

practical reforms to foster growth-oriented and people-centred good governance.

Objectives

The objectives of CGG, Hyderabad are:

To work with government departments and other stakeholders to analyse keyissues in governance, identify solutions, help develop action plans, and

support implementation of these plans and the reform agenda.

To act as a think tank and help translate government goals, objectives andpolicy priorities and reform agenda into tangible reform actions with focus on

principles and practices of good governance.

To identify those areas for change that will make the most impact inimproving performance and policy-making in government and enable it to

respond better to the needs of the people.

To create a bank of best practices, methodologies and tools in governancereforms including successful e-governance applications.

To support change management and management development programmesin government to effectively carry forward governance reforms and to develop

a reform communication strategy for wider implementation.

To provide technical support and advisory services to state and localgovernments, national and international organizations in the areas of action


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research, change management, design and implementation of governance

reforms, including administrative reforms.

CGG, Hyderabad was established by the Government of Andhra Pradesh in October,

2001 to help it achieve the State's goal ofTransforming Governance.

CGG, Hyderabad coordinates and supports the design and implementation of GoAP's

Governance Reform Programme. CGG, Hyderabad undertakes action research,

provides professional advice to, and conducts change management programmes for

government departments and agencies to help them implement their reform agenda

successfully.

CGG, Hyderabad works closely with policy-makers like Ministers, senior officials,

management experts, institutions and other stakeholders, especially citizens towardsushering in a caring government centered on the people.

Website address: www.cgg.gov.in

Documents

Microsoft Word - RTI Gateway - User's Manual