Here is a guide on how to file a RTI Application to the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) seeking any public information, take notes, extracts or certified copies of documents or records, take certified samples of material.
RTI stands for Right To Information and has been given the status of a fundamental right under Article 19(1) of the Constitution. Article 19 (1) under which every citizen has freedom of speech and expression and have the right to know how the government works, what role does it play, what are its functions and so on.
It lays emphasis on making the lives of its citizens easy, smooth and making functioning of Municipal Corporation truly democratic. The Act confers right to the citizens to know as to how the taxpayers money is being spent by the Government.
RTI if used appropriately, can be used as an effective tool to fight corruption and extract key information from government departments and bound the officials to carry out their work.
In Guwahati, there is an increasing menace of unauthorised and illegal commercial shops and establishments mushrooming all over the city, particularly in residential areas. This not only poses health hazard to the nearby residents, but is also a serious security and safety issue, as these unauthorised commercial shops are often a hotbed for anti-social elements. If you complain to the GMC, the department may ignore these complaints and your complaint letter will just gather dust in their office.
Another effective approach to this is using the RTI. First you can file a RTI application to the GMC to find out if the commercial shops have been granted Trade License to operate in the area, if the area is allowed for commercial activity, etc.. Based on the RTI reply and findings, you can then file a second RTI application to request for inspection, closure, etc..
Recently I filed an RTI to find out the Trade License details of some commercials shops operating in our residential area. Surprisingly, as per the RTI reply received, no Trade License were issued for those shops and show-cause notice have been issued to them for closure.
RTI needs to be addressed to
Collector & Public Information Officer,
Office of the Commissioner,
Guwahati Municipal Corporation,
Panbazar, Guwahati – 781001
The RTI fees in Assam is Rs.10 (Ten rupees only) and can be paid via Indian Postal Order (IPO) or paid in cash at the GMC office. If you are sending the RTI through courier, it needs to be sent to the above address via Speedpost (recommended) or Registered post. You can attach a IPO of Rs. 10 along with the application. IPO’s are easily available at any Post Office. The RTI Application can also be hand delivered at the office and application fee paid in cash at the Cash Counter.
Below is a sample format of an RTI Application, the same can be modified to suit your requirements and questions modified.
Application Form for Seeking Information under RTI Act 2005
To ,
Collector & Public Information Officer,
Office of the Commissioner,
Guwahati Municipal Corporation,
Panbazar, Guwahati – 781001
Applicant Name
Applicant Address
Applicant Email
Applicant Phone No.
Please provide the following information under Right to information (RTI) Act 2005:
1. Please provide the Shop Registration No.(s) of the following shops located at xxx, Guwahati – xxxxxx
1) Shop Name 1
2) Shop Name 2
2. Please provide the copy of Trade License of the above said shops (Shops 1 to 2) mentioned in Point 1. (Please provide copy of Trade License of each shop)
3. What is the nature of business/commercial activity of the above said shops (Shops 1 to 2) mentioned in Point 1? (Please provide details of each shop)
4. What are the approvals required as per the nature of business of each shop?
5. Do the Shops 1 to 2 mentioned in Point 1 have the necessary approvals from each authority to operate a commercial shop in the area? (Please provide approval details and copy of each shop)
6. Is the area allowed for commercial activity? If yes, please provide certified copy of by-law/notification/policy.
7. Is No Objection Certificate required from Residents to operate commercial activity from residential area? (Please provide details of each shop). If yes, has NOC been obtained?
8. Has inspection been done before granting license to the above shops? If yes, please provide copy of inspection log with date.
9. Please provide certified copies of permission granted for running commercial activities in the residential area.
If any of the information sought above does not pertain to you, kindly forward it, under intimation to me, to the respective department under section 6(3) of RTI Act 2005 within 5 days receipt of application CLEARLY MENTIONING PART or FULL Application, If PART then clearly mention the question ref No.
If any charges to be paid for photocopies/printouts kindly mentions the number of pages and amount and mode of payment. If any information is available on the department website, kindly mention the link in the answers.
I hereby declare that I am the citizen of India. I state that the information sought does not fall within the restrictions contained in section 8 of the Act and to the best of my knowledge it pertains to your office.
Proof of payment of application fee: Attached Indian Postal Order/ Fee Receipt for Rs. 10, dated xx/xx/xxxx No. xxxx in favour of Collector & PIO, Guwahati Municipal Corporation.
Date: Name:
Place: Signature:
Address for communication:
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