F.No.12/12/2005-Coord (Pt.l)

New Delhi,

Dated: the 7th October, 2005

Kindly refer to the website of DoPT wherein details relating to RTI Act have been uploaded. The term 'information' has been defined to mean:

"any material in any form including records, documents, memos, e-mails, opinions, advices, press releases, circulars, orders, log books, contracts, reports, papers, samples, models, data material held in any electronic form and information relating to any private body which can be accessed by public authority under any other law for the time being in force but does not include 'file noting'{S.2(f)}"

   2. From the above definition, it appears that 'file notings' would not constitute information udner the RTI Act. However, no clarification has been received in this regard from DOPT, despite repeated reminders. Since the RTI Act is coming into force from 12th October 2005 and the time available is very short, instructions are being issued, in the meantime, to the Organisations under the Department of Revenue that the 'file notings' would not constitute 'information' under the RTI Act. This is in accordance with the details provided in the website of DOPT.