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Para 4 - RTI & Procurement | KartavyaDesk

Non-Consultancy Manual

Original Rule Text

Section 4(1) (b) of the RTI Act lays down the information to be disclosed by public authorities on a suo-motu or proactive basis, and Section 4(2) and Section 4(3) prescribe the method of its dissemination to enhance transparency and also to reduce the need for filing individual RTI applications. The Department of Personnel & Training, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Government of India, has issued “Guidelines on suo motu disclosure under Section 4 of the RTI Act” vide their OM No.1/6/2011-IR dated April 15, 2013.21. The relevant guidelines relating to information disclosure relating to procurement are reproduced below:

What This Means

Para 4 of the Manual for Procurement of Non-Consultancy Services emphasizes transparency and proactive disclosure of information, aligning with the Right to Information (RTI) Act. It essentially directs government departments to publicly share details about their procurement processes, reducing the need for citizens to file individual RTI requests to get this information. This proactive approach aims to make government operations more open and accountable. The Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) provides guidelines on how to implement this, ensuring consistency across different departments.

This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.

Key Points

  • •Mandates proactive disclosure of procurement information as per Section 4 of the RTI Act.
  • •Aims to enhance transparency and reduce RTI applications.
  • •DoPT guidelines (OM No.1/6/2011-IR dated April 15, 2013) provide specific instructions for implementation.
  • •Applies to all public authorities involved in procuring non-consultancy services.
  • •Focuses on making information readily available to the public.

Practical Example

The Ministry of Agriculture is procuring office supplies worth ₹50,000. Following Para 4, the ministry's procurement officer, Mr. Sharma, ensures that details about the tender notice, participating bidders, price quotes, and the final awarded contract are published on the ministry's website. This includes the names of the companies that bid, the prices they quoted, and the reasons for selecting the winning bidder. This proactive disclosure allows citizens to access this information without needing to file an RTI application.

This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 'suo motu' disclosure?▼
'Suo motu' disclosure means proactively publishing information on the department's website without waiting for someone to request it through an RTI application.
Where can I find the DoPT guidelines mentioned in Para 4?▼
The DoPT guidelines are available in OM No.1/6/2011-IR dated April 15, 2013, accessible on the DoPT website or through internal circulars within your department.
What kind of procurement information needs to be disclosed?▼
Information such as tender notices, participating bidders, price quotes, awarded contracts, and the rationale behind the selection process should be disclosed.
What happens if we don't comply with Para 4?▼
Non-compliance can lead to increased RTI applications, potential scrutiny from oversight bodies, and a perception of lack of transparency.
Does this apply to all types of procurement?▼
Para 4 specifically relates to the procurement of *non-consultancy* services. Different rules may apply to consultancy services.

This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.

Test Your Knowledge

Question 1 of 3

According to Para 4 of the Manual for Procurement of Non-Consultancy Services, which section of the RTI Act mandates the proactive disclosure of information by public authorities?

Related Rules

Para 3.2Manual for Procurement of Non-Consultancy Services, 2025 - Para 3.2 - Chapter 3Para 4.1.1Manual for Procurement of Non-Consultancy Services, 2025 - Para 4.1.1 - Chapter 3Para 4.2.3Manual for Procurement of Non-Consultancy Services, 2025 - Para 4.2.3 - Chapter 3Para 4.4Manual for Procurement of Non-Consultancy Services, 2025 - Para 4.4 - Chapter 3Para 6.8Manual for Procurement of Non-Consultancy Services, 2025 - Para 6.8 - Chapter 6

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