Direct Marketing in Advertising

One day all the advertising agencies would be direct marketing (DM) agencies.
- David Ogilvy

Direct Marketing is the buzzword today as more and more companies are realizing the need to establish close relations with their clients. Recent wins like that of Mumbai's iContract which picked up a 'Lions Direct Gold', earlier this year at Cannes (France) for ICICI's 'Bond mela campaign', do indicate that direct marketing in India is gaining greater currency or at least greater visibility.

'Direct Marketing in India is still unexpressed. There was one entry this year and it won. Who knows what would have happened with 20 entries - five nominations and two lions would not be improbable'.
- Bimal Nair, Associate Vice-President & head of iContract

What is Direct Marketing -

Basically, it is another marketing tool to add skills to already existing strategies. The difference with DM is that is measurable and accountable. The fact that it is probably the best possible antidote to an extremely fragmented market helps its cause. Without DM customer-relationship management is merely in boardrooms. To offer value to the customers, one must know what is of value to them.

"To survive and sell in this age when everyone is not buying what everyone else is and your customers are finite while the competition is not, you have to have far more focus, and DM allows you to have that focus."
- Justin Rabindra, Head OgilvyOne

Direct Marketing involves direct interaction and transaction between the manufacturer of goods or the service provider with the customer, without the necessity of a middleman. Direct Marketing takes our message, our product and our services into the hands of the people and talks to well refined, appropriate target segments. It controls the style and force of that message and to do this effectively, 'Planning the attack' becomes critical in direct marketing campaign.

The basic factors, which are a must in DM campaign, are -

· Target audience must be well defined - Businessman or consumers? They should be analyzed in a very exhaustive manner.
· The target audience must be told about what we want to do? - It must be clear to the audience as to what (re)action is expected of them in response to your message. Do we just want an expression of interest or an immediate monetary commitment? We have to devise the most suitable mechanism of response and make it usage evident.
· Customer benefit - What is our USP? Why should they swing with us? We have to tell them without exaggeration. This is direct marketing and it is serious. We have to spell out concrete benefits.
· Personalize - This could make all the difference in the world. In fact, some say that this is the very essence of direct marketing. Our target must feel that we are talking to him or her, that we are actually interested in their benefit.
· At the heart of direct marketing lies the database management. Unfortunately not many companies take it seriously.

Not many companies are serious about developing their own database. They do not realize, if they have a customer for one of their product it is likely that with a little persuasion the company will get preference over others when the said customer is considering purchase of another product. For that we need sophisticated database management systems, which are not in place. The companies have the data fragmented and scattered. They are sitting on a gold-mine being of unaware or having any clue about it.
The greatest challenge facing direct marketing today is junk mail. Consumers are increasingly becoming wary about receiving unwanted mails in their mailbox. To counter this phenomenon the database management should be such that target lists are focused to the extent that only relevant customers are reached. Secondly, the message that you send out should be well written and attractive. Thirdly and importantly, innovative avenues like iContract bond mela should be explored.

Personal traits and qualifications

Communication skills are an absolute must, both verbal and written. The fundamentals of direct marketing must be clear. A person should have good analytical skills and an ability to understand people and to know the value of talking to a customer. MBAs with specializing in marketing and marketing research are preferred. Many advertising and DM agencies take people and train them on the job. The pay is good but what makes it attractive is the thrill of seeing tangible results, the sense of having contributed. It is not the career of future - it is the career of present times so ACT NOW.

CASE STUDY

The direct marketing wing of the CONTRACT advertising agency which recently struck gold at the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival 2002 in the direct marketing segment is the finest example of DM based strategies.

The Job - They had to sell the ICICI's deep discount bonds, which mature over a long period of 15 and 20 years.

Target Audience - Naturally children who are between six to seven years now became the focus of DM team.

The Strategy - The DM team went to schools and held painting competitions with the theme "What I want to be when I grow up". Each drawing sheet had the child's name and address along with the name of the parents. So they had all the database stuff in a non-intrusive manner. Prizes, sponsored by Faber Castle, were given out and involved the teachers as well. They took the sheets back with them and sent all the parents a mailer saying that "Your child wants to be…" and enclosed an ICICI bond form along with the drawing sheet.

The Result - The DM team have generated a response worth Rs. 28 million with this for ICICI.

Aspects of Color in Advertising

The aspects, or qualities of color, refer to colors and color combinations that evoke certain emotional responses. We use many words to describe the properties of individual colors and to compare and contrast them, but light and dark is the basic distinction. Without sunlight or artificial light, there is no color. We depend on light for color, which we use in countless combinations to express our ideas and emotions. The following aspects of color contain color combinations that exist in harmony with each other, and are in spectral balance. Spectral balance occurs within the eye as thousands of waves of electromagnetic energy of different lengths bounce off (or are absorbed by) the chemical components of any object. Light waves reflect red, yellow, and blue, and the rods and cones in the eye's retina simultaneously mix and sort these reflected colors into thousands of tints and shades, which work to offer endless possibilities for specific color use. Color is both simple and complex. It means different things to different people in different cultures. Any two people see no color the same way. Color is personal and universal, sending messages full of endless variations.

Hot
It refers to red in full saturation on the color wheel; this is red at its strongest. Hot colors project outward and attract attention. For this reason, red is often used in graphic signage and design. Hot colors are strong and aggressive and seem to vibrate within their own space. The power of hot colors affects people in many ways, such as increasing blood pressure and stimulating the nervous system.

Cold
Cold refers to fully saturated blue. At its brightest it is dominating and strong. Cold colors remind one of ice and snow. The feelings generated by cold colors-blue, green, and blue -green-are the direct opposite of those generated by hot colors; cold blue slows the metabolism and increase one's sense of calm. When placed next to each other, cold and hot colors vibrate like fire and ice.

Warm
All hues that contain red are warm. It is the addition of yellow to red that makes warm colors substantially different from hot colors. Warm colors, such as red-orange, orange, and yellow- orange, always contain a mixture of red and yellow in their composition and encompass a larger apart of the emotional spectrum. Warm colors are comforting, spontaneous, and welcoming. Like an Arizona sunset, the warmth of these hues radiates outward and surrounds everything in reach.

Cool
Cool colors are based in blue. They differ from cold colors because of the addition of yellow to their composition, which creates yellow -green, green, and blue-green. Cool colors, such as turquoise blue and verdant green, are seen in nature. Like spring growth, they make us feel renewed. Soothing and calm, these hues provide a sense of depth as well as comfort. Cool colors are like a swim in a refreshing, tropical pool.

Light
Light colors are the palest pastels. They take their lightness from an absence of visible color in their composition, and are almost transparent. When lightness increases, variations between the different hues decrease. Light colors open up the surroundings and suggest airiness, rest, and liquidity. They resemble sheer curtains at a window and send a message of relaxation.

Dark
Dark colors are hues that contain black in their composition. They close up space and make it seem smaller. Dark colors are concentrated and serious in their effect. Seasonally, autumn and winter. Combining lights and darks together is a common and dramatic way to represent the opposites in nature, such as night and day.
Pale
Pale hues are the softest pastels. They contain at least 65 percent white in their composition, and have a diminished hue, which is most often referred to as soft or romantic. Pale colors, like ivory, light blue, and pink, suggest gentless. They can be seen in the clouds in a soft, early light, or in the lavender colors of a misty morning. Because they are calming colors, pale hues are frequently used in interior spaces.

Bright
The amount of pure color within a hue determines its brightness. The clarity of bright colors is achieved by the omission of gray or black. Blues, reds, yellows, and oranges are colors in full brightness. Bright colors are vivid and attract attention. A yellow school bus, a bunch of colored balloons, the red of a clown’s nose, never goes unnoticed. Exhilarating and cheerful, bright colors are perfect for use in packaging, fashion, and advertising.

Powerful
The most powerful combinations, full of excitement and control, are always associated with the color red. No matter what color it is combined with, red can never be ignored. It is the ultimate "power" color-forceful, bold, and extreme. Powerful color combinations are symbols of our strongest emotions, love and hate. They represent emotional overdrive. In advertising and display, powerful color combinations are used to send a strong message of vitality and awareness. They always attract attention.

Rich
Combining a powerful hue with its darkened complement can create richness in a color. For example, deep burgundy results from adding black to red, and like a fine old wine from a French vineyard, it signifies wealth. Burgundy and deep forest green used together with gold suggest affluence. These dark, sumptuous colors-used in textures as diverse as leather and taffeta-create a dramatic, unforgettable effect. They will always reveal a sense of wealth and status.

Romantic
Pink suggests romance. Pink is white added to red in varying amounts and is the lightened value of red. Like red, pink arouses interest and excitement, but in a softer, quieter way. A romantic color scheme using pastel tints of pink, lavender, and peach will read as gentle and tender. Combined with other bright pastels, pink evokes memories of dreamy June days and full bouquets of delicate, summer flowers.

Vital
Vitality and enthusiasm are best promoted in design and graphics by using the hue most commonly known as vermillion, or any of its many tints and shades. By using color combinations with this red-orange hue at the center, a feeling of vigor and warmth can easily be created. These combinations are youthful and playful and are often seen in advertisements displaying energetic lifestyles and personalities. The combination of red-orange partnered with its complement, turquoise, is active, easy to be around, and is very effective when used in fabrics, advertising and packaging.

Earthy
Rich, warm, and full of vitality, earthy color combinations frequently use the dark, vivid red-orange called terra cotta. Terra cotta suggests subtle warmth, like polished copper. When used with white, it projects a brilliant, natural combination.

Earthy hues reflect fun-loving youth, and call to mind leisure living. As part of an analogous scheme, these warm, earthy tones generate exciting combinations, such as those seen in the décor o the American West.

Friendly
Color schemes that convey friendliness often include orange. Open and easy, these combinations have all the elements of energy and movement. They create order and equality without a sense of power or control. Orange along with its color wheel neighbors is frequently used in fast-food restaurants because it projects an inviting message of good food at a friendly price. Because it is energetic and glowing orange is the international safety color in areas of danger. Orange life rafts and life preservers are easily seen on blue or gray seas.

Soft
Light -valued tints without high contrast are the most comfortable to use when creating soft color combinations. Peach, as part of a muted palette, is delicious and appealing in its color message and workable in any setting, from restaurants to store displays to fashion. When combined with tints of violet and green, it becomes part of a subdued but magical secondary color scheme. They soft and relaxing colors are often ideal for home décor. The combinations are cheerful and outgoing, while at the same time calm and inviting.

Welcoming
Color combinations using yellow-orange or amber are the most welcoming. Yellow combined with a small amount of red creates these radiant hues, which are universally appealing. In full strength, yellow-orange or amber can be likened to gold or the precious spice saffron. A monochromatic color scheme of saffron used with white is one of classic beauty and is very inviting. Combinations made with pale amber are warm and congenial. This hue can be used in a variety of applications that call for creamy tints to express festive and cordial environments.

Moving
The brightest color combinations are those that have primary yellow expresses life-giving sun, activity, and constant motion. When white is added to yellow, its luminous quality increases and the overall effect is one of extraordinary brightness. Color schemes of high contrast, such as yellow with its complement violet, mean activity and motion. These palettes generate movement, especially within a round space. It is almost impossible to feel despondent when surrounded by a combination using yellow or any of its tints.

Elegant
Elegant color combinations use only the palest tints. For example, a whisper of yellow combined with white makes a pastel cream, which can be used to create a warmer version of an all-white room. The presence of natural light produces subtle shadows and highlights architectural details, which help to fashion an elegant setting. Palettes that combine hues similar to the color of eggshells and linens are compatible with most other hues and offer a workable alternative to achromatic white or noncolor schemes. In fashion, elegant linens, silks, and velvets in creamy tones give the impression of ease and opulence by creating a look of classic understatement.

Traditional
Traditional color combinations are often copied from those with historical significance. Conservative colors of blue, burgundy, tan, and green in their grayed or deepened hues, express traditional themes. For example: green, in both its full hue and grayed shades, always signifies possession. Hunter green combined with deep gold or burgundy, or in combination with black, suggests richness and stability. Hunter green is frequently seen in the décor of banks and legal offices, where it suggests permanence and value.

Refreshing
Color combinations that are considered refreshing usually include cool blue-green paired with its complement, red-orange. Blue-green, or teal, is fresh and invigorating. It is frequently used in its full hue to depict travel and leisure. Refreshing color combinations sparkle with lightness while providing a sense of soothingcalm.

Tropical
Tropical hues on the color wheel always include turquoise. Blue-green is lightened turquoise by the addition of white and is the warmest of the cool colors. Staying with the lightest tints of the blue-green family will increase the feeling and message of tranquility. Using red-orange, the complement of turquoise, is perfect in any of these combinations. Like flowers in nature, these color schemes enhance any setting and create a serene and stress-free feeling.

Classic
Classic color combinations are indicative of strength and authority. Intense royal blue is the centerpiece of any classic grouping of colors. It stands out, even when combined with other hues. Classic combinations imply truth, responsibility, and trust. Because of its proximity to green, royal blue evokes a sense of continuity, stability, and strength, especially in combination with its split complement red-orange and yellow-orange.

Dependable
One of the most widely accepted hues is navy blue. Combinations using this color are interpreted as dependable and reliable. They also carry an undeniable message of authority. Police officers, naval officers, and court officers wear color combinations that include deep, secure navy blue in order to command authority through their appearance. When accented with red and gold, navy becomes less stern, but still communicates firmness and strength.

Calm
In any stressful environment, combining grayed or lightened tints of blue will produce a calming and restful effect. Lightened blue is at the center of color schemes that reassure and are considered truthful and direct.

Regal
The fullness of blue combined with the power of red creates blue-violet. It is the darkest hue on the color wheel and contains no black to diminish its innate power. Combinations using this color symbolize authority and regal inspiration. Likened to the deepest blue-black plums of summer, blue-violet combined with its complement, yellow-orange, creates a most striking color scheme. This lush combination suggests royalty and is seldom used outside a daunting environment.

Magical
Elements of surprise and magic are often associated with violet. By itself, violet conveys its own unpredictable personality. With its secondary partners, orange and green, violet in any tint or shade becomes part of an exciting team, which is slightly offbeat. When used with chartreuse and yellow-orange, it is whimsical and clashing, even loud. In combination with its true complement yellow, violet has spectral balance and can be enjoyed for extended periods of time. In fashion, it is considered and immature color and is used to bridge the gap between child and adult.


Nostalgic
Color combinations using lavender are often thought of as nostalgic. They are reminiscent of the Victorian era and can remind us of dreamy moments, poetry, and romantic ideals. More delicate and less passionate than pink, lavender has red and blue in its violet makeup. When combined with other pastels, lavender is the prominent hue, even with its muted accents.

Energetic
Color combinations that are energetic often contain red-violet, also known as fuchsia. It always sends an unmistakable message of activity. Fuchsia, or magenta, has such as exuberant personality that in order to be workable it is often combined with its complementary hue, chartreuse. A clash combination using fuchsia and yellow or green will be exciting for the moment, but will invariably limit the overall effect of the combination and lessen its workability. Yellow-green, when paired with fuchsia or magenta, heightens the enthusiastic personality of this energetic color.

Subdued
Unlike an energetic color scheme, a subdued or grayed scheme has little contrast. Mauve, a blend of magenta, gray, and white, is a diminished color. The addition of minimal gray and white to any brilliant hue results in subdued and delicate variations, including grayed blues and grayed greens. Mauve combined with other tints and shades appears to be understated and dull. A spark of color in the form of its complement, or a more vivid tone of the original hue, must be added to bring these mellow hues back to life. To maintain the subdued nature of similar colors, shades should be used sparingly.

Professional
In the world of the business professional, color is evaluated with scrutiny. In fashion, the word "professional" has come to mean grays and tonal blacks because these colors lack personal characteristics and are truly neutral. Warmed grays, however, are perfect backgrounds for brilliant hues such as red, teal, or orange. Schemes based on achromatic gray combined with vivid accents become accented neutrals. Gray in unexciting but practical. It sends a sober message, with a minimum of humor.

Color Trends
WHAT ARE COLOR TRENDS?
Professionals in the fields of color research, color merchandising, advertising and marketing, as well as the related professions of graphic design, fashion, interior design, and industrial design, make selections and reach a consensus on which colors will be successful and fashionable for the coming years. This color forecasting translates into "color trends." For example, the orange shag rugs of the sixties and he avocado refrigerators of the seventies were some of the products that reflected the "color trends" of those decades. Along with the current economic and cultural directions of trade markets, product negotiation, median incomes, and social status, decisions about color trends are also based on psychological insight into the use of color. Color choices are vitally important to all retail sales, products, and services. In every industrialized nation, color is big business. Choosing colors that result in changes for consumer markets is a highly specialized field. An organization involved in setting color trends that impact on a number of industries is the Association for International Color Directions (AICD), located in Alexandria, Virginia. The AICD holds international conferences and workshops to ensure accuracy in tracking predictable color trends. The marketing arm of the AICD, the Color Marketing Group, forecasts ahead three years, allowing ample time to implement the design and manufacture of key industry products in new and definitive colors. A second organization, the Color Association of the United States (CAUS), located in New York City, specializes in color predictions for fashion, interior design, and environmental industries. A panel of eight to twelve color specialists meets annually to determine the ongoing impact of the current trends. Color trends are closely linked to the economy, and, as a result, advertising and marketing strategies are affected whenever a new color or color combination emerges on the world market. The color trend becomes part of the media vocabulary, sending a "color message" to the world via television and print. As consumes become comfortable with color in daily life, analysts look for newer and more exciting color combinations to stimulate their emotions and product needs. This is often interpreted as "something new" or "in style." A color scheme that is compatible with one industry may not be pleasing or workable in another. To offset this situation and maintain the accuracy of choice, color analysts will make parallel or specific recommendations for fashion, industry, or interior environmental use.

COLOR TRENDS THEN … AND NOW
In general pastel tints of green, blue, and orange, prominent for decades in most interior products, have recently given way to brilliant colors and warm, subtle shades. Soft and medium tints have been replaced by hues of vivid reds, yellows, and the jewel-like tones of sapphire and amethyst. These hues are seen most often in upscale products such as evening wear and expensive fabrics for the home. They carry an aura of wealth and cultural diversity. Gone are the dark and sophisticated grays of the recent past, they have been replaced by burnished warm metallics of gold and copper, combined with rich, reddish hues of burgundy, terra-cotta, and rust. The colors prominent today and for the coming years are not flat pastels but the vibrant tones of magenta, turquoise, and gold. They are used in some manufactured goods, interiors, and fashion. It is accurate to say that reds, greens and blues in fully saturated color and warm, lustrous, dark shades like burgundy, hunter green, and navy will be strong choices for the fore-seeable future. Red brings excitement to wardrobes, accessories, and luxury items and is a favorite of both men and women. Vibrant deep greens will be used interiors, and places of business. Dark blues and warm terra cottas will be major color players in restaurants and public places. Accented with a contrasting bright white or creamy yellow-orange, these colors generate a feeling of warm elegance, and enhance interior space.

INDUSTRY
Automobiles continue to reflect deep vibrant hues of blue-green, reds, and warm metallics, a color development indicating an upward economy. When the economy is unstable or on a downward slope, automobiles are usually painted in nondescript but safe colors, such as grays and tans. Another factor in the equation of color choice in industrial products is the emerging presence of women as "major purchase" buyers. Women now buy automobiles as often as men. Long in demand by the industry, conservative colors are changing to include the more active turquoise and warm metallic. This trend is also reflected the collateral and complementary color schemes of automobile interiors. Refrigerators, washers and driers, dishwashers, and major domestic appliances continue to remain sterile white or warm utilitarian pewter. These "noncolors" are becoming increasingly popular as more women spend less time at home. Instead of light pastels, bright glossy white will be used as a dominant hue and as an accent in domestic environments.

FASHION
According to color marketing groups the line between male and female color preference has disappeared. All colors in fashion are now acceptable for men's as well as women's clothing. Men confidently wearing brightly colored accessories evidence this trend. Continuing in this direction fully saturated powerful reds and violets with bluish undertones are the predicted color choices for both sexes. Forecasters say clothing color, regardless of the season, will be bright with increased sheen, making the matte noncolors of the past obsolete. Although black remains the "color of choice" in apparel for the young adult woman, vivid accessories and outerwear is acceptable. Lots of sparkle and beading in fabrics offsets black's usually hostile personality, giving it a more lively appearance. Brilliant silks and taffetas in magenta, nuance in this field, blue-green, violet, and red-orange in full saturation compete with the current reds and blues.

All about Right To Information Act

RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT
PREAMBLE
A Bill to operationalise the right to information by setting out the practical regime for people to secure access to information under the control of public authorities, consistent with public interest, in order to promote openness, transparency and accountability and in relation to matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
Chapter I: PRELIMINARY
1. (1) This Act may be called the Right to Information Act 2004
(2) It extends to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
(3) It shall come into force within 120 days of it being enacted.
(4) Where State legislation exists dealing with the right to access information, a person will have the right to seek information under the State law as well as under this Act, if the information pertains to a subject under the State List in Schedule 7 of the Constitution of India.
(5) Objectives of the Act: The objectives of the Act are to -
(i) give effect to the Fundamental Right to Information, which will contribute to strengthening democracy, improving governance, increasing public participation, promoting transparency and accountability and reducing corruption
(ii) establish voluntary and mandatory mechanisms or procedures to give effect to right to information in a manner which enables persons to obtain access to records of public authorities in a swift, effective, inexpensive and reasonable manner.
(iii) promote transparency, accountability and effective governance of all public authorities by, including but not limited to, empowering and educating all persons to:- understand their rights in terms of this Act in order to exercise their rights in relation to public authorities;- understand the functions and operation of public authorities; andeffectively participating in decision making by public authorities that affects their rights.
2. In This Act, unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) “appropriate Government” means in relation to a public authority established, constituted, owned, substantially financed by funds provided directly of indirectly or controlled-
(i) by the Union Government, the Union Government;
(ii) by the State Government, The State Government;
(iii) by the Union territory, The Union Government;
(b) “competent authority” means-
(i) the Speaker in the case of the House of the People or the Legislative Assembly and the Chairman in the case of the Council of States or the Legislative Council:
(ii) The Chief Justice of India in the case of the Supreme Court;
(iii) The Chief Justice of the High Court in the case of a High Court;
(iv) The President or the Governor, as the case may be, in case of other authorities created by or under the Constitution:
(v) the administrator appointed under article 239 of the Constitution;
(c) “Chief Information Commissioner” and “Information Commissioner” and “State Information Commissioner” means the authorities so appointed under this act
(d) “right to information” means the right to access information held by, legally accessible by or under the control of any public authority and includes:
(i) Inspection of works, documents, records;
(ii) Taking notes and extracts and obtaining certified copies of documents or records;
(iii) Taking certified samples of material;
(iv) Obtaining information in the form of diskettes, floppies, tapes, video cassettes or in any other electronic mode or through printouts where such information is stored in a computer or in any other device.
(e) “information” means any material in any form, including records, documents, file notings, memos, emails, opinions, advices, press releases, circulars, orders, logbooks, contracts, reports, papers, samples, models, data, material held in any electronic form and any information relating to a private body which can be accessed by a public authority under any law;
(f) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act by the appropriate Government or the competent authority, as the case may be;
(g) “public authority” means any authority or body established or constituted,-
(i) by or under the Constitution;
(ii) by any law made by the appropriate Government, and includes any other body owned or controlled by the appropriate Government and includes panchayati raj institutions and other community bodies, like district councils, and village or locality durbars, performing public functions in areas notified under schedule 5 and 6 of the constitution.
(h) “Public Information Officer” means the Public Information Officer appointed under sub-section (I and/or 1a of section 5;
(i) “record” includes-
(i) any document, manuscript and file;
(ii) any microfilm, microfiche and facsimile copy of a document;
(iii) any reproduction of image or images embodied in such microfilm (whether enlarged or not): and
(iv) any other material produced by a computer or by any other device.
(j) “third party” means a person other than the person making a request for information and includes a public authority.
CHAPTER II
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AND OBLIGATIONS OF PUBLIC AUTHORITIES
3. Subject to the provision of this Act, all persons shall have the right to information.
4. Every public authority shall-
(a) maintain all its records, duly catalogued and indexed, in a manner and form which facilitates the right to information as provided for in this Act, including ensuring that all records, covered by the Act that are appropriate to computerise, are within a reasonable time and subject to availability of resources, computerised and connected through a network all over the country on different system so that authorised access to such records is facilitated.
(b) publish within 6 months of this Act coming into force and thereafter update at least every 12 months-
(i) The particulars of its organisation, functions and duties.
(ii) The powers and duties of its officers and employees
(iii) Procedures followed during the decision making process, including chains of supervision and accountability.
(iv) The norms set by the public authority for the discharge of its functions.
(v) Rules, regulations, instructions, manual and records held by or under its control used by its employees for discharging its functions.
(vi) A statement of the categories of documents that are held by or under the control of the public authority.
(vii) Particulars of any arrangement that exists for consultation with, or representation by, members of the public in relation to the formulation of policy in, or in the administration of, the public authority.
(viii) A statement listing all boards, councils, committees and other bodies constituted by two or more persons, that are part of, or that have been established for the purpose of advising, the public authority, and whose meetings are open to the public, or the minutes of whose meetings are available for public inspection;
(ix) A directory of their public servants, from the level of the head of the department or his/her equivalent and below;
(x) The monthly remuneration received for each position, including the system of compensation as established in regulations;
(xi) Information concerning the budget assigned to each agency, including all plans, proposed expenditures and reports on disbursement,
(xii) The design and execution of subsidy programs, including the amounts allocated to them, criteria for access, implementation details and beneficiaries.
(xiii) All concessions, permits or authorisations granted, with their recipients specified.
(xiv) All information available to the public authority in electronic form or capable of being reduced to electronic form which is not exempt under this Act, subject to availability of resources.
(xv) the details of facilities available to citizens for obtaining information, including if the public authority maintains a library or reading room that is available for public use, a statement of that fact including details of the address and hours of opening of the library or reading room; and
(xvi) the name, designation and other particulars of the Public Information Officer;
(xvii) such other information as prescribed by the appropriate government or Information Commissioner from time to time which would promote transparency across public authorities or in specific public authorities, as appropriate;on the basis that it shall be a constant endeavor of public authorities to take steps to provide as much information to the public suo moto at regular intervals through various means of communication so that the public have minimum resort to the use of this Act to obtain information.
(c) publish all relevant facts concerning important decisions and policies that affect the public while formulating and announcing such decisions and policies;
(d) give reasons for its decisions, whether administrative or quasi-judicial to those affected by such decisions;
(e) before initiating any project, or formulating any policy, scheme, programme or law, publish or communicate to the public generally or to the persons affected or likely to be affected by these in particular, the facts available to it or to which it has reasonable access which in its opinion should be known to them in the best interests of natural justice and promotion of democratic principles.
(f) For the purpose of this section, information should be disseminated widely and in a form and manner which is easily accessible and comprehensible to the public. “Disseminated” shall mean appropriately making known to the public the information to be communicated through notice boards, newspapers, public announcements, media broadcasts, the internet or other such means and shall include inspection at all of the bodies offices. All materials shall be disseminated keeping in mind cost effectiveness, the local language and the most effective method of communication in that local area. Such information should be in easily accessible, with the Public Information Officer, where possible in electronic format, which shall be available free or at the cost of the medium, or in print at cost price.
5. (1) Every public authority shall for the purposes of this Act, designate as many officers as Public Information Officers, in all administrative units and offices under such authority, as are necessary to render the public body as accessible as reasonably possible for requesters of information, within one month of this Act coming into force.
(a) An officer at each sub-divisional level or other appropriate sub-district level, shall be designated a Public Information Officer, within three months of this act coming into force, for the purposes of this Act. He/she shall receive all requests for information, and appeals, both under the state and the central acts, and pass them on to a designated authority for onward transmission to the relevant department/agency.
(b) Where applications/appeals are handed over at the sub divisional or sub-district level, an additional period of five days would be added to the time of response specified under this act, in order to enable the request/appeal to be communicated to the relevant authority.
(2) Every Public Information Officer shall deal with requests for information and shall render reasonable assistance to any person seeking such information.
(3) The Public Information Officer may seek the assistance of any other officer as he considers necessary for the proper discharge of his duties.
(4) Any officer whose assistance has been sought under sub-section (3), shall render all assistance to the Public Information Officer seeking his/her assistance and be treated as a Public Information Officer for the purposes of the penalties provisions in this Act
6. (1) A person desirous of obtaining information shall make a request in writing or through electronic means in English or in the official language of the area in which the application is being submitted, to:
(a) the Public Information Officer of the relevant public authority;
(b) other designated Public Information Officers, as specified in 5 (1a )specifying the particulars of the information sought by him/her.Provided that where such request cannot be made in writing the Public Information Officer shall render all reasonable assistance to the person making the request orally to reduce it in writing.
6 (2) An applicant for access to information shall not be required to give any reason for requesting access to that information or any other personal details except those necessary for contacting the applicant.
6 (3) (1) Where an application is made to a Public Authority for information:
(a) which is held by another Public Authority; or
(b) the subject matter of which is more closely connected with the functions of another Public Authority, the first mentioned Public Authority shall transfer the application or such part of it as may be appropriate to that other Public Authority and shall inform the applicant immediately of the transfer.
(2) A transfer of an application pursuant to subsection (1) shall be made as soon as practicable but not later than 5 days after the date of receipt of the application
7(1) Subject to section 5, sub section (1b) above and section 7, sub-section (3)(a) below, on receipt of a request under section 6, the Public Information Officer shall as expeditiously as possible and in any case within fifteen days of the receipt of the request, either provide the information requested on payment of such fee as may be prescribed or reject the request for any of the reasons specified in sections 8 and 9.Provided that where the information sought for concerns the life and liberty of a person, the same should be provided within forty-eight hours of the receipt of the request:
7(2) If a Public Information Officer fails to give the decision on a request for access to the requestor concerned within the period contemplated in s.7(1), the Public Information Officer would, for the purposes of this Act, be regarded as having refused the request.
7(3) Where it is decided to provide the information on payment of any further fee representing the cost of providing the information, the Public Information Officer shall send an intimation to the person making the request, giving:
(a) the details of such fees as determined by him, showing the calculations as per the act, at prescribed rates, requesting him to deposit the fees, and the period intervening between the dispatch of the said intimation and payment of fees shall be excluded for the purpose of calculating the period of fifteen days referred to above;
(b) information concerning his/her rights with respect to review the decision as to the amount of fees charged and/or the form of access provided, including the contact details of the appellate body, time limits, process and any relevant forms.
7 (4) Where access to a record or a part thereof is to be given under this Act and the person to whom access is to be given has a sensory disability, the public authority will provide assistance to enable access to the information, including providing assistance with inspection as appropriate.
7(5)(a) Subject to sub-sections (b) and (c) below, where access to information is to be given in the form of printed copies, or copies in some other form, such as on tape, disk, film or other material, the applicant shall pay the prescribed fee.
(b) Any fees payable by the applicant shall be reasonable, and shall in no case exceed the actual cost of copying the information or in the case of samples of materials the cost of obtaining the sample, and shall be set via regulations at a maximum limit taking account of the general principle that fees should not be set so high that they undermine the objectives of this Act in practice.
(c)Notwithstanding subsection (a), where a public authority fails to comply with the time limits specified in section 7, any access to information to which the applicant is entitled pursuant to his request shall be provided free of charge.
7(6) Before taking any decision under sub-section (1), the Public Information Officer shall take into consideration the representation made by a third party under section 11.
7 (7) Where a request is rejected under sub-section (6), the Public Information Officer shall communicate to the person making request,
(i) the reasons for such rejection;
(ii) the period within which an appeal against such rejections may be preferred;
(iii) the particulars of the appellate authority.
7(8) Information shall ordinarily be provided in the form in which it is sought unless it would disproportionately divert the resources of the public authority or would be detrimental to the safety or preservation of the record in question.
8(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, there shall be no obligation to give any person:
(a) information, disclosure of which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security, strategic, scientific or economic interests of the State, relation with foreign State or lead to incitement of an offence;
(b) information which has been expressly forbidden to be published by any court of law or tribunal or the disclosure of which may constitute contempt of court ;
c) information, 'the disclosure of which would cause a breach of privilege of Parliament or the State Legislature ;
d)information including commercial confidence, trade secrets or intellectual property, the disclosure of which would harm the competitive position of a third party, unless the Competent Authority is satisfied that larger public interest warrants the disclosure of such information ;
(e) information available to a person in his fiduciary relationship, unless the Competent Authority is satisfied that the larger public interest warrants the disclosure of such information ;
(f) information received in confidence from foreign government;
(g) information, the disclosure of which would endanger the life or physical safety of any person or identify the source of information or assistance given in confidence for law enforcement or security purposes ;
(h) information which would impede the process of investigation or apprehension or prosecution of offenders ;
(i) cabinet papers including records of deliberations of the Council of Ministers, Secretaries and other officers, provided that the decisions of Council of Ministers, the reasons thereof, and the material on the basis of which the decisions were taken shall be made public after the decision has been taken, and the matter is complete, or over; provided further that those matters which come under the exemptions listed in Section 8 shall not be disclosed.
(j) information which relates to personal information the disclosure of which has no relationship to any public activity or interest, or which would cause unwarranted invasion of the privacy of the individual unless the Information Officer or the apellate authority, as the case might be, is satisfied that the larger public interest justifies the disclosure of such information.
Provided that the information, which cannot be denied to the Parliament or a State Legislature, shall not be denied to any person.Notwithstanding anything in the Official Secrets Act 1923 nor any of the exemptions permissible in accordance with section 8 (1), a public authority may not refuse to allow access to information, unless the harm to the protected interest outweighs the public interest in disclosure.
(2) Subject to the provisions of clause (a) and (i) of sub section I of section 8, any information relating to any occurrence, event or matter which has taken place, occurred or happened ten years before the date on which any request is made under section 6 shall be provided to any person making a request under that section.
Provided that the matters covered by Sub-Section 8(a) and Sub-Section 8(i) may be disclosed after twenty-five years. Provided that where any question arises as to the date from which the said period of ten years or twenty-five has to be computed, the decision of the Union Government shall be final, subject to the usual appeals provided for in this act.
9. Without prejudice to the provisions of section 8, a Public Information Officer may reject a request for information where such a request for providing access would involve an infringement of copyright subsisting in a person other than the State.10. (1) If a request for access to information is rejected on the ground that it is in relation to information which is exempted from disclosure, then notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, access may be given to that part of the record which does not obtain any information that is exempted from disclosure under this Act and which can reasonably be severed from any part that contains exempted information.
10(2) Where access is granted to a part of the record in accordance with sub-section (1), the Public Information Officer shall send a notice to the applicant, advising:
(a) that only part of the record requested, after severance of the record containing information which is exempted from disclosure, is being furnished; and
(a) The reasons for the decision; including any findings on any material questions of fact, referring to the material on which those findings were based;
(b) The name and designation of the person giving the decision; and
(c) Details of the fees determined by him/her and requesting the applicant to deposit the fees;
(d) Information concerning his/her rights with respect to review of the decision regarding non-disclosure of part of the information, the amount of fees charged and/or the form of access provided, including the contact details of the appellate body, time limits, process and any relevant forms;
11. (1) Where a public authority intends to disclose any information or record, or part thereof on a request made under this Act which relates to, or has been supplied by a third party and has been treated as confidential by that third party, the Public Information Officer shall, within five days from the receipt of a request, give written notice to such third party of the request and of the fact that the public authority intends to disclose the information or record, or part thereof and invite the third party to make a submission, in writing or orally, regarding whether the information should be disclosed, which submission shall be taken into account when determining whether to disclose the information.
Provided that except in the case of trade or commercial secrets protected by law, disclosure may be allowed if the public interest in disclosure outweights in importance any possible harm or injury to the interests of such party.
(2) where a notice is given by the public information officer under sub-section (1) to a third party in respect of any information or record or part thereof, the third party shall, within ten days from the date of issuance of notice, be given the opportunity to make representation against the proposed disclosure
(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in section 7, the public information officer shall, within twenty days after receipt of the request under section 6, if the third party has been given an opportunity to make representation under sub-section (2), make a decision as to whether or not to disclose the information or record or part thereof and give in writing the notice of his decision to the third party.
(4) A notice given under sub-section (3) shall include a statement that the third party to whom the notice is given is entitled to prefer an appeal against the decision under section 12(2).
12(1): (i)(a) The President shall appoint or designate a Chief Information Commissioner for all matters pertaining to the Union. Such appointment shall be made on the basis of a recommendation made by an Appointing Committee presided by the Prime Minister, with the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India as members.
(i)(b) The Governor shall appoint or designate a State Information Commissioner for all matters pertaining to the State. Such appointment shall be made on the basis of recommendation made by an Appointing Committee presided by the Chief Minister, with the Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly and the Chief Justice of the High Court as members.
(ii) Information Commissioners may be appointed by the President or the Governor, as the case may be, in consultation with the appropriate Appointing Committee and the Chief Information Commissioner or State Information Commissioners, as the case may be.
(iii) Every Chief Information Commissioner, State Information Commissioners and the commissioners shall be persons with wide knowledge and experience of administration and governance.
(iv) The Chief Information Commissioners and any Information Commissioners shall not be members of Parliament or members of the Legislative of any State or Union Territory and shall not hold any other office of profit and shall not be connected with any political party or be carrying on any business or practice any profession;
(v) The requisite budgetary allocations for the emoluments and expenses, including office expenses, of the Chief Information Commissioner and of other Information Commissioners will be provided by the Government of India through special budgetary provisions made available to the respective states out of the Union Government Budget.
(vi) The Chief Information Commissioner and of other Information Commissioners shall function autonomously without being subjected to directions by any other authority and would be under the administrative control of the Government of India, Ministry of Personnel, Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances.
(vii) Every person appointed as a Chief Information Commissioner or an Information Commissioner shall hold office for a term of five years from the date on which he enters upon his office. He/she will not be eligible for reappointment.
12. (2) (i) Any person who does not receive a decision or is aggrieved by a decision of the Public information officer may, within thirty days of receipt of such a decision, or of the expiry of the time allowed for responding, prefer an appeal to an appellate authority prescribed for the purpose in each department and senior in rank to the Public Information Officer. Provided that such authority may entertain the appeal after the expiry of the said period of thirty days if it is satisfied that the appellant was prevented by sufficient cause from filing the appeal in time.
(ii) A second appeal against the decision under sub-section (1) shall lie within 90 days from the time by which the decision should have been made or receipt of a decision, prefer an appeal to the relevant Information Commissioner, Provided that the relevant Information Commissioner may entertain appeal after the expiry of the said period of ninety days if it is satisfied that the appellant was prevented by sufficient cause from filing the appeal in time.
(iii)Where an appeal is being preferred against an order made by the Public Information Officer under Section 11 to disclose “third party” information , the appeal by the concerned third party must be made within thirty days of the order.
(iv)If the decision of the Public Information Officer against which the appeal is preferred relates to information of a third party, the relevant Information Commissioner shall give a reasonable opportunity of being heard to that third party.
(v) In any appeal proceedings, the onus to prove that a denial of a request was justified will be on the public authority that denied the request.
(vi) Appeals to any Information Commissioner shall be disposed of within thirty days of the receipt of the appeals,or within such extended period, not exceeding a total of forty five days from the date of filing of appeal, for reasons to be recorded in writing.
(vii) The decision of the Information Commissioner shall be binding.
(viii) In his/her decision, the relevant Information Commissioner has the power to:
(a) require the public authority to take any such steps as may be necessary to bring it into compliance with the Act, including by;
(i) providing access to information, including in a particular form;
(ii) appointing an information officer;
(iii) publishing certain information and/or categories of information;
(iv) making certain changes to its practices in relation to the keeping, management and destruction of records;
(v) enhancing the provision of training on the right to information for its officials;
(vi) providing him or her with an annual report, in compliance with section 4(b);
(b) require the public body to compensate the complainant for any loss or other detriment suffered;
(c) impose any of the penalties available under this Act;
(d) reject the application.
(i) The Information Commissioner shall serve notice of his/her decision, including any rights of appeal, on both the complainant and the public authority.
(ii) A decision of the Information Commissioner may be appealed to the High Court or the Supreme Court, on any point of fact and law.
12(3) Powers of the Chief Information Commissioner/State Information Commissioners/Information Commissioners
(1) Subject to this Act, the Chief Information Commissioners /State Information Commissioners/Information Commissioners shall receive and investigate complaints from persons:
(a) who have been unable to submit a request to a Public Information Officer, either because none has been appointed as required under the Act or because the Public Information Officer has refused to accept their application;
(b) who have been refused access to information requested under this Act;
(c) who have not been given access to information within the time limits required under this Act;
(d) who have been required to pay an amount under the fees provisions that they consider unreasonable, including a person whose wishes to appeal a decision in relation to their application for a fee reduction or waiver;
(e) who believe that they have been given incomplete, misleading or false information under this act;
(f) in respect of any other matter relating to requesting or obtaining access to records under this Act.
(2) Where a Chief Information Commissioner/State Information Commissioners/Information Commissioners are satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to investigate a matter relating to requesting or obtaining access to records under this Act, the Chief Information Commissioner may initiate a complaint in respect thereof.
(3) The Chief Information Commissioners/State Information Commissioners/Information Commissioners have, in relation to the carrying out of the investigation of any complaint under this Act, power:
(a) to summon and enforce the appearance of persons and compel them to give oral or written evidence on oath and to produce such documents and things as the Commissioner deems requisite to the full investigation and consideration of the complaint, in the same manner and to the same extent as a superior court of record;
(b) to administer oaths;
(c) to receive and accept such evidence and other information, whether on oath or by affidavit or otherwise, as the relevant Information Commissioner sees fit, whether or not the evidence or information is or would be admissible in a court of law;
(d) to enter any premises occupied by any government institution on satisfying any security requirements of the institution relating to the premises;
(e) to converse in private with any person in any premises entered pursuant to paragraph (d) and otherwise carry out therein such inquiries within the authority of the Chief Information Commissioner under this Act as the Commissioner sees fit; and
(f) to examine or obtain copies of or extracts from books or other records found in any premises entered pursuant to paragraph (d) containing any matter relevant to the investigation.
(g) Shall impose the penalties prescribed under this act, after giving due opportunity to the concerned official of being heard.
(4) Notwithstanding any other Act of Parliament or any privilege under the law of evidence, an Chief Information Commissioner /State Information Commissioners/Information Commissioners may, during the investigation of any complaint under this Act, examine any record to which this Act applies that is under the control of a government institution, and no such record may be withheld from any Commissioner on any grounds.
(5)All the powers of the Chief Information Commissioner would also be enjoyed by the State Information Commissioners and other Information Commissioners.
12(4) Penalties
(1) Subject to sub-section (3), where any Public Information Officer has, without any reasonable cause, failed to supply the information sought, within the period specified under section 7(1), the relevant Information Commissioner shall, on appeal, impose a penalty of rupees two hundred fifty, which amount must be increased by regulation at least once every five years, for each day’s delay in furnishing the information, after giving such Public Information Officer a reasonable opportunity of being heard.
(2) Subject to sub-section (3), where it is found in appeal that any Public Information Officer has –
(i) Refused to receive an application for information;
(ii) Mala fide denied a request for information;
(iii) Knowingly given incorrect or misleading information,
(iv) Knowingly given wrong or incomplete information, or
(v) Destroyed information subject to a request;
(vi) Obstructed the activities of a Public Information Officer, any Information Commission or the courts;commits an offence and will be liable upon summary conviction to a fine of not less than rupees two thousand and imprisonment of up to five years, or both.
(3) An officer whose assistance has been sought by the Public Information Officer for the performance of his/her duties under this Act shall be liable for penalty as prescribed in sub-sections (1) and (2) jointly with the Public Information Officer or severally as may be decided by the relevant Information Commissioner.
(4) Any fines imposed under sub-sections (1), (2) and (3) shall be recoverable from the salary of the concerned officer, including the Public Information Officer, or if no salary is drawn, as an arrears of land revenue, recoverable within a maximum of six months of the order imposing the fine.
(5) The Public Information Officer or any other officer on whom the penalty under sub-sections (1), (2) and (3) is imposed shall also be liable to appropriate disciplinary action under the service rules applicable to him. Provided that in cases where the officer is proved guilty of deliberate denial of information or misinformation, the punishment imposed shall be a major penalty, i.e., dismissal or removal or reduction in rank.
CHAPTER III MISCELLANEOUS
13. No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie against any person for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done under this Act or any rule made thereunder.
14. The provisions of this Act shall have effect not withstanding anything inconsistent therewith contained in the Official Secrets Act, 1923, and any other law for the time being in force or in any instrument having effect by virtue of any law other than this Act.
15. No court shall entertain any suit, application or other proceeding in respect of any order made under this Act and no such order shall be called in question otherwise than by way of an appeal under this Act.
16. (1) Nothing contained in this Act shall apply to the intelligence and security organisations, specified in the Schedule being organisations established by the Union Government or any information furnished by such organisations to that Government.Provided that information pertaining to alleged violations of human rights, to the life and liberty of human beings and to the allegations od corruption will not be excluded under this clause.
(2) The Union Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, amend the Schedule by including therein any other intelligence or security organisation established by that government or omitting therefrom any organisation already specified therein and on the publication of such notification, such organisation shall be deemed to be included in or, as the case may be omitted from the Schedule.
(3) Every notification issued under sub-section (2) shall be laid before each house of parliament.
(4) Nothing contained in this Act shall apply to such intelligence and security organisations which may be specified, by a notification in the official gazette, by a state Government from time to time. Provided that information pertaining to alleged violations of human rights, to the life and liberty of human beings and to the allegations of corruption will not be excluded under this clause
(5) Every notification issued under sub section (4), shall be laid before the state legislature..
16A Monitoring and Reporting
(1) The Chief Information Commissioners/State Information Commissioners/Information Commissioners shall, as soon as practicable after the end of each year, prepare a report on the implementation of this Act during that year and cause a copy of the report to be laid before the legislatures of the concerned state and each House of the Parliament.
(2) Each responsible department/ministry shall, in relation to the public authorities within their jurisdiction, collect and provide such information to the Chief Information Commissioners as is required to prepare the report under this section, and shall comply with any prescribed requirements concerning the furnishing of that information and the keeping of records for the purposes of this section.
(3) Each report shall, at a minimum, state in respect of the year to which the report relates:
(a) the number of requests made to each public authority;
(b) the number of decisions that an applicant was not entitled to access to a document pursuant to a request, the provisions of this Act under which these decisions were made and the number of times each provision was invoked;
(c) the number of appeals sent to the Information Commissioners for review, the nature of the complaints and the outcome of the appeals;.
(d) particulars of any disciplinary action taken against any officer in respect of the administration of this Act;
(e) the amount of charges collected by each public authority under this Act;
(f) any facts which indicate an effort by public authorities to administer and implement the spirit and intention of this Act;
(g) recommendations for reform, including recommendations in respect of particular public authorities, for the development, improvement, modernisation, reform or amendment of this Act or other legislation or common law or any other matter relevant to operationalising the right to access information, as appropriate.
(4) The Union Government Ministry responsible for the administration of this Act, as soon as practicable after the end of each year, prepare a summary report on the implementation of this Act during that year and cause a copy of the report to be laid before the concerned state legislatures and each House of the Parliament, drawing on the information provided in the reports of the Chief Information Commissioners for each State.
(5) If it appears to any Chief Information Commissioner that the practice of a public authority in relation to the exercise of its functions under this Act does not conform with provisions or spirit of the Act , s/he may give to the authority a recommendation specifying the steps which ought in his/her opinion to be taken for promoting such conformity.
16B (1) The Government must, to the extent that financial and other resources are available:
(a) develop and conduct educational programmes to advance the understanding of the public, in particular of disadvantaged communities, of this Notification and of how to exercise the rights contemplated in this Act;
(b) encourage public authorities to participate in the development and conduct of programmes referred to in paragraph (a) and to undertake such programmes themselves; and
(c) promote timely and effective dissemination of accurate information by public authorities about their activities.
(d) train information officers of public authorities and/or produce relevant training materials for use by authorities themselves.
(2) The Government must, within 18 months, compile in each official language a guide containing such information, in an easily comprehensible form and manner, as may reasonably be required by a person who wishes to exercise any right contemplated in this Act.
(3)The Government must, if necessary, update and publish the guide at regular intervals The guide must, without limiting the generality of subsection (2), include a description of-
(a) the objects of this Act;
(b) the postal and street address, phone and fax number and, if available, electronic mail address of the Public Information Officer of every public authority as appointed under sub section (1) of section 5
(c) the manner and form of a request for access to a information of a public authority;
(d) the assistance available from and the duties of Public Information Officers of a public authority in terms of this Act;
(e) the assistance available from the Information Commissioners in terms of this Act;
(f) all remedies in law available regarding an act or failure to act in respect of a right or duty conferred or imposed by this Act, including the manner of lodging an appeal with the Chief Information Commissioner and a court against a decision by the Public Information Officer of a public authority;
(g) the provisions providing for the voluntary disclosure of categories of records in accordance with section 4;
(h) the notices regarding fees to be paid in relation to requests for access; and
(i) any additional regulations or circulars relevant to obtaining access to information in accordance with this Act.
(4) The Government must, if necessary, update and publish the guide at regular intervals.
17 (1) The Union Government may by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules to carry out the provisions of this Act.
(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely
(a) intervals at which matters referred to in sub-clauses (i) to (vi) of clause (b) of section 4 shall be published.
(b) The fee payable under sub-section (1) of section 7;
(c) The authority before whom an appeal may be preferred under sub-section (2) of section 12;
(d) any other matter which is required to be, or may be, prescribed.
18. (1) The State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules to carry out the provisions of the Act.
(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:-
(a) the fee payable under sub-section (1) of section 7:
(b) the authority before whom an appeal may be preferred under sub-section (2) of section 12:
(c) any other matter which is required to be, or may be prescribed:
Provided that initially the rules shall be made by the Union Government by notification in the official gazette.
19. (1) The competent authority may, by notification in the official gazette make rules to carry out the provisions of this Act.
(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power such rules may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:-
(a) the fee payable under sub-section (1) of section 7:
(b) the authority before whom an appeal may be preferred under sub-section (2) of section 12;
(c) any other matter which is required to be, or may be, prescribed.
20. (1) Every rule made by the Union Government under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each house of parliament, while it is in session, for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both houses agree in making any modification in the rule or both houses agree that the rule should not be made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified from or be of no effect, as the case may be, so, however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule.
(2) Every rule made under this Act by a State Government shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is notified, before the State Legislature.
21. (1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of this Act, the Union Government may, by order publised in the official gazette, make such provision not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act as appear to it to be necessary or expedient for removal of the difficulty:
Provided that no such order shall be made after the expiry of a period of two years from the date of commencement of this Act.
(2) Every order made under this section shall as soon as may be after it is made, be laid before the houses of parliament.
THE SCHEDULE(See section 16 (1))Intelligence and Security Organisations Established by the Union Government
1. Intelligence Bureau.2. Research and Analysis Wing of the Cabinet Secretariat.3. Directorate of Revenue Intelligence.4. Central Economic Intelligence Bureau.5. Directorate of Enforcement.6. Narcotics Control Bureau.7. Aviation Research Centre.8. Special Frontier Force.9. Border Security Force.10. Central Reserve Police Force.11. Indo Tibetan Border Police.12. Central Industrial Security Force.13. National Security Guards.14. Assam Rifles.15. Special Service Bureau.16. Special Branch (CID), Andaman and Nicobar.17. The Crime Branch-CID, - CB, Dadra and Nagar Haveli.18. Directorate of Vigilance including Anti Corruption Branch, National Capital Territory of Delhi.19. Special Branch, Lakshadweep Police.

about me

me an engineering graduate with 25 years of techno-commercial experience in industry and advertising, media education now a media consultant with a TV Channel.

I had a very diversifed background. First ten years, I had worked for a steel plant as prouction manager, then I switched over to advertising and digital media and finally become a media teacher in digital media and cyber journalism.

I offer consultancy in advertising for print, electronic and cyber media projects.