How to use your Right To Information

What: KC Law College has announced a foundation course, as well as an advanced course to train citizens and government servants on using and implementing their Right To Information.

Objectives of the course

Foundation Course

The course is designed for people who either have no prior exposure to the RTI or have used it casually. The focus will be on how to use RTI effectively.

It will cover:

History of RTI and rationale for it.

Provisions of the RTI Act-with information on using RTI.

Provisions of the RTI Act-focus on first and second appeals

Interacting with some RTI users, activists and Public Information Officers.

Tips on drafting applications and appeals and way forward

Advanced Course

The course has been designed for people who have been using the Act with some regularity and are now seeking to improve their understanding and skills. The course will also analyse some of the orders of the Informations Commissions and devote some time to understanding the work of Public Information Officers. This course aims to equip participants to draft appeals and some practical understanding of the hearings in appeals.

It will cover:

History of RTI, provisions of the Act and appeals.

Tips on drafting RTI applications and appeals.

Interactive session with PIOs, Information Commissioner (if possible) and activists.

Discussing the interpretations of the contentious provisions.

Interactive session to resolve problems/issues confronting participants.

Eligibility

Foundation Course

A candidate who has passed the Bachelors' degree examination in any faculty/ discipline from the University of Mumbai or a corresponding degree examination of any other university recognised as equivalent thereto is eligible.

Advanced course

Using RTI for over six months. Filing of at least three RTI applications and one first appeal or a law degree; or experience as a Public Information Officer.

Admission procedure

A candidate seeking admission is required to apply in the prescribed format.

The admission form and brochure is available at the college office from June 27 between 9 amand 5 pm on payment of Rs 100.

The admission form duly filled in along with the prescribed fee should be submitted at the college office on or before July 26, 2008.

Fee

Every candidate shall pay Rs 2,000 in cash at the time of submitting the form. Fees once paid shall not be refunded.

Course strength

The course will only admit 50 participants at a time on a first come, first serve basis. A minimum of 30 participants must register for the course to commence.

Commencement of courses

Foundation course

This shall commence on August 2, 2008, to be held every alternate Saturday.

Advanced course

This shall commence on August 9, 2008, to be held every alternate Saturday.

The duration of both the courses will be of five sessions of three hours each; Lectures, Role Plays / Simulation Exercises and Seminar Presentations will be conducted on Saturdays from 4 pm to 7 pm.

Assessment of the participants:

There will be continual assessment of the participant on the basis of:

Class Participation

Assignments

Role Play

Research Projects

Final written test

Passing Standards and Award of Certificate

A candidate shall be declared to have passed the Certificate Course and become eligible for the award of the Certificate if he/she secures 50 percent of marks each in class participation, research projects, presentations, role plays/ simulation exercises and written examinations.

A candidate passing the examination by securing aggregate marks of:

70 percent and above shall be declared to have passed with distinction.

60 percent and above but less than 70 percent shall be declared to have passed with first division.

50 percent and above but less than 60 percent shall be declared to have passed with second division.

Below 50 percent shall be declared to have failed.

Contact:
HSNC Board's
Kishinchand Chellaram Law College

Phone: +91 (0)22 2282 2376

Website: www.kclawcollege.com
Email: info@kclawcollege.com

Educate yourself on how to use your Right To Information