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Government benefit, pension, ration card or certificate refused or delayed — or I want to file an RTI
Two tools work for almost every government delay: an RTI asking why your file is stuck, and a grievance on the official portal.
Answer a few questions and get your list →What the law says
Under the Right to Information Act, 2005, you can ask any public authority for information; they must reply within 30 days (48 hours if life or liberty is involved). First appeal is within 30 days to the appellate officer, and second appeal within 90 days to the Information Commission. Since 13 November 2025, personal information about others is exempt from disclosure. Grievances against central offices can be filed on CPGRAMS; most states have Right to Public Services laws that fix time limits for certificates and services and allow appeals. Disability rights and certificates are under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (UDID).
General information, not legal advice.
Papers that usually help
- Your application with date and receipt / acknowledgement number
Service time limits run from this date. - Your ID and address proof
Every application and appeal asks for it. - Short, specific questions you want answered (file number, dates, names of officers)
Vague RTIs get vague replies; specific ones get answers. - Proof you are eligible (income, age, caste, disability, land, residence)
Refusals are challenged on eligibility. - The rejection order or stoppage message
An appeal attacks the reason given. - Bank passbook showing when payments stopped, and Aadhaar seeding status
Many stoppages are due to Aadhaar/bank mismatch. - RTI application asking for your file status and reasons for delay
Often moves a stuck file. - Copy of your RTI, any reply, and your first appeal
Needed for appeals. - Grievance on CPGRAMS or the state portal
Departments must respond and are monitored. - Details of any bribe demand (who, when, how much)
Can be reported to the vigilance / anti-corruption bureau.
Questions Saboot will ask you
- What is the problem?
- Which government?
- Did you apply in writing and get a receipt?
- Where is your RTI?
Sources
- RTI Online (Government of India)
- CPGRAMS — public grievance portal
- UDID — disability certificate portal
- Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (official site)
Common situations
- Old-age, widow or disability pension stopped
- Ration card cancelled or not issued
- Caste, income or domicile certificate refused
- Want to file an RTI
- No reply to my RTI in 30 days
- Government office not doing my work for months
- PM-Kisan or scheme money stopped
- Housing scheme house not allotted
- Name missing from the voter list
- No water supply or a wrong water bill from the municipality
- Garbage, drains or streetlights not fixed despite complaints
- Hospital refused treatment on my Ayushman Bharat card
- MGNREGA work or wages not given
- Anganwadi or mid-day meal not given to my child
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