Law interns to analyse RTI applications; study ministries’ suo motu disclosure

LAW students will now analyse RTI applications received by the government during the calendar year of 2014, as the department of personnel and training (DoPT) will manage an internship programme beginning next month. The selected interns, only from the law stream, will study the status of suo motu disclosure of the ministry or department, required under the RTI Act. Those in second year pursuing…
a five-year integrated law course or graduates studying in first year of a three-year law course could apply for internship on RTI. The interns will be offered RTI applications received in the calendar year 2014. “The analysis of the applications would aim to get an overall picture of the applications received and do an in-depth study of the information sought and the response by the CPIO/Public Authority”, says an office memorandum issued by DoPT on November 10, 2014.
The internships would be for duration of one month beginning December 1, 2014. And only travel costs of interns will be reimbursed on actual basis up to Rs 5,000 only on submission of reports. Interns will, however, be provided with all logistic support including office space, photo copying etc.
Placement, Certificates: Interns will be placed in select ministries and departments. Certificates will be issued on “satisfactory completion” on their internship and on submission of their reports.
Interns are expected to study and analyse RTI applications and one week to study the status of suo motu disclosure of the ministry or department concerned. The interns will be required to study applications received by at least five CPIOs which receive maximum applications. And then, they would randomly choose 20 applications from each CPIO for study.