JUDGMENT
Soumitra Pal, J.
1. Let affidavit of service filed in Court today be kept with the records.
2. In this writ petition, the petitioners have prayed for several reliefs. The relevant prayer is as under:
(a) Let a rule do issue out of and under the seal of this Hon’ble Court asking the respondents and each one of them to show cause as to why a writ of or a writ in the nature of Mandamus should not go commanding the respondents to supply a copy of the questionnaires to the petitioners within a time as specified by this Hon’ble Court and before inspection is being held by the District Level Inspection Team for the purpose of granting recognition and to act in accordance with law.
3. The petitioners have also prayed for an interim order which is as under:
(c) An interim order be issued directing the respondents to supply a copy of the questionnaire to the petitioners within a fortnight from the date of passing of the order and before inspection is being held in the school in question.
4. It is submitted by the learned advocate for the petitioner that unless the petitioners are provided with the questionnaire regarding the grant of recognition of an institution, it is difficult for them to overcome the shortcomings, if any, and prepare. Therefore, a prayer has been made for furnishing such questionnaire to the school authorities. It is further submitted under the Right to Information Act, 2005 (for short “the Act”) the respondents are legally bound to furnish necessary information. In this connection, reference has been made to Sections 3 and 6 of the Act.
5. Heard learned advocates for the parties.
6. The Right to Information Bill, 2005 was passed by the Lok Sabha on 11th May, 2005 and by the Rajya Sabha on 12th May, 2005. It received the assent on 15th June, 2005. It came on the Statute Book as The Right to Information Act, 2005. Section 1(3) of the Act is as under:
Section 1(3). The provisions of Sub-section (1) of Section 4, Sub-sections (1) and (2) of Section 5, Sections 12, 13, 15, 16, 24, 27 and 28 shall come into force at once, and the remaining provisions of this Act shall come into force on the one hundred and twentieth day of its enactment.
7. Undoubtedly by this time all the provisions of the Act have come into force. The object of the Act is to ensure greater and more effective access to information under the control of public authorities. Section 3 of the Act ensures, subject to the provisions of the Act, all citizens have the right to information. Section 6 postulates that a person who desires to obtain any information under the Act shall make a request in writing or through electronic means to the authorities specifying the particulars of the information sought by him. In the writ petition the prayer is for providing the questionnaire regarding the grant of recognition of an institution so that, as submitted, the petitioners can prepare themselves accordingly. In my view, the prayer made is not covered by the exceptions provided under Sections 8, 9 and 24 or the Second Schedule to the Act.
8. Therefore, the writ petition is disposed of by granting liberty to the petitioners to make a request for obtaining information under Section 6 of the said Act before the authorities. If a request is made, the authorities shall furnish the information within a period of one month from the date of making such request subject to the compliance of formalities including payment of necessary fees.
9. There will be no order as to costs.
10. Urgent Xerox certified copy of this order, if applied for, be given to the appearing parties on priority basis.