The Kerala State Information Commission has cautioned that strict action will be taken against offices refusing to accept the Right to Information (RTI) applications submitted on paper. State Information Commissioner K. M. Dileep has said the Commission has received multiple complaints that several offices insist on online applications and decline handwritten ones.
He was speaking after a hearing conducted at the Thrissur Collectorate on Saturday.
Dr. Dileep clarified that the RTI Act mandates acceptance of applications submitted not only through K-SMART or RTI online portals, but also those filed in writing. “If an applicant is unable to submit the request in writing, the Public Information Officer is legally required to assist them by preparing the written application,” he said.
The Commission made this observation while hearing a complaint by Anto D. Ollukkaran, who alleged that his RTI application submitted on paper was refused by an office.
At the hearing held under the chairmanship of Dr. Dileep, 49 appeals were disposed of out of the 53 taken up for consideration. Four appeals were postponed for later review.
The appeals heard on Friday were related to departments including Local Self-Governments, Health, Police, Taxes, and Forests.
Published – November 29, 2025 07:48 pm IST
