CHENNAI: Acknowledging interest of non-resident Indians (NRIs) in knowing the happenings in the country, the government has introduced an electronic postal order which will help them seek information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
Diplomatic sources at the Indian embassy in Riyadh told TOI over telephone that the department of personnel and department of posts had recently launched a service called e-IPO (electronic Indian postal order) to help the NRIs purchase an Indian postal order electronically by paying the fee online at http://www.epostoffice.gov.in.
"This facility has been provided for Indian citizens abroad to enable them to purchase a postal order electronically to seek information under the RTI Act, 2005," the sources said.
A user needs to register at the website to make use of the facility. He or she must select the ministry or department from where he or she desires to seek the information under the RTI Act. The e-IPO so generated can be used to seek information from that ministry or department only.
A printout of the e-IPO is required to be attached with the RTI application. If the RTI application is being filed electronically, the e-IPO should be attached.
Many NRIs sounded upbeat about the development. Jayanth Kumar Nair, a human resources professional employed at a German construction major in Abu Dhabi, said: "It is a welcome move by the government. I am sure the number of applications from the Gulf would see a surge. Though we are far away from home, we need to find out what is happening and how is it going to affect our lives."
"It has come at the right time, and I am proud of the fact that we non-resident Indians can now know of our rights and look into issues concerning our relatives in India through the RTI. The introduction of the electronic postal order will go a long way in easing the woes of people who have left India to make a living abroad,'' said Randolph Christopher, who works at a private bank in Dubai.
Irfan Mohamed, employed at media house in Riyadh, said, "I am sure a large number of Indians would welcome this move and this has given us an extra boost to know the happenings and issues back home through the RTI and the introduction of the electronic postal order is going to be a boon for many.''
Source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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