Frivolous RTI letters flood all offices

The Right to information (RTI) application with the Prime Minister’s office asking if “achhe din” have indeed arrived is just not one such frivolous petition.

The short history of RTI in India is littered with such frivolous applications, which activists complain, only contribute towards weakening the transparency law.

Here is a list of a few RTIs filed in past:

February 2008

UP girl asked NHRC on why 'ladoos' sent by her to US President George W. Bush on 'Rakshabandhan' never reached him and requested the commission to take appropriate action.

September 2010

A Delhi resident files an application seeking details of chewing 'paan' and tobacco habits of an MCD official. He also asked about paan ingredients.

May 2010

A resident of Hyderabad sought details from Andhra Pradesh governor on how many times does he visit temples in a day and also copy of the dinner menu hosted at his official residence.

January 2010

A 47-year-old man from Kutch, Gujarat, requested the Tamil Nadu state information commission to provide him information on life partner for marriage from any govt department.

April 2011

An RTI query with the Punjab University sought price of time as per Indian scripts “the Ramayana and Mahabharata.” It also sought information on the price of pretty, religious bride/girl as per the scriptures.

September 2012

A Delhi-based activist after his arrest for strip-protesting at a convention where former PM Manmohan Singh was speaking asked the Prime Minister’s Office if he as a citizen of India needs its consent on what underwear he can wear.

March 2014

A Political activist asked Election Commission of India why elections symbol used in electronic voting machines are black and white and not colourful.

Source: RTI applications & media reports