RTI in Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu: Merged UT, Single CIC Track

On 26 January 2020 — Republic Day — two of India's smallest Union Territories ceased to exist as separate entities. Dadra and Nagar Haveli, a landlocked enclave surrounded by Gujarat and Maharashtra, and Daman and Diu, comprising two coastal pockets on the Gujarat coast, were formally merged by the Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (Merger of Union Territories) Act, 2019 into a single Union Territory: Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.

For citizens of this merged UT — whether they live in Silvassa, in the town of Daman, or on the island of Diu — the Right to Information Act, 2005 applies in its entirety. The jurisdictional architecture is the same as for all Union Territories administered directly by the Central Government: there is no elected state assembly, there is no State Information Commission, and all second appeals under the RTI Act go to the Central Information Commission (CIC).

Understanding this is not merely a procedural technicality. It means that a resident of Silvassa who wants to challenge an RTI refusal from the UT Administration's Industries Department cannot go to any local or state information commission. The CIC in New Delhi is the forum, and the appeal must be filed there. RTISathi can handle that process end-to-end if needed.

Three Regions, One Administration

The merged UT has three geographically distinct regions with their own administrative histories and practical characteristics:

Dadra and Nagar Haveli: A landlocked enclave of approximately 491 square kilometres, bordered entirely by Gujarat to the north and Maharashtra to the south. The administrative headquarters at Silvassa is the UT's capital. This region has developed into one of India's most concentrated industrial zones — hundreds of manufacturing plants operate here, drawn historically by relatively lower taxes and simpler compliance requirements compared to the adjoining states.

Daman: A small coastal town and district on the southern coast of Gujarat, divided into two parts: Moti Daman and Nani Daman, separated by the Daman Ganga river. Daman has a history of Portuguese colonial administration (transferred to India in 1961), visible in its forts, churches, and Portuguese-origin land record systems.

Diu: An island off the southernmost tip of the Kathiawar peninsula in Gujarat, separated from the mainland by a small channel. Diu is a significant tourist destination, known for its Portuguese-era fort, beaches, and the absence of the prohibition on alcohol that applies in neighbouring Gujarat. Diu is connected to the mainland by two bridges.

The UT Administration maintains its principal headquarters at Daman, with administrative offices in Silvassa for Dadra and Nagar Haveli matters and in Diu for Diu matters. Each region has its own complement of government offices, but they all function under a single administration headed by a single Administrator (Lieutenant Governor).

Land Records: Portuguese History Meets Indian Administration

One of the more distinctive features of RTI practice in this UT — particularly for Daman and Diu — is the historical character of the land record system. Daman and Diu was under Portuguese administration until 1961. The land records that exist for these areas were created and maintained under Portuguese civil law, using Portuguese documentation systems and in some cases the Portuguese language.

The Revenue Department of the UT Administration is responsible for maintaining and updating these records. When issues arise about land — disputed ownership, unclear boundaries, mutation delays, land use classification questions — RTI applications to the Revenue Department are the appropriate tool.

For Daman and Diu specifically, useful RTI questions include:

• "Provide a copy of the current record of rights (or the equivalent land registration document in the applicable land record system) for the plot bearing Survey Number X in Village/Town Y, Daman/Diu."
• "What is the status of the mutation application submitted by name on date for transfer of land bearing Survey Number X? What are the reasons, if any, for the delay or non-processing of this application?"
• "Under what category (residential / commercial / agricultural / coastal regulation zone) is the land bearing Survey Number X classified in the current land use plan?"

For Dadra and Nagar Haveli, the land record system has a different character. The region has significant Adivasi (tribal) communities with traditional forest and agricultural land holdings. Land here intersects with the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (the Forest Rights Act). RTI applications asking about the status of individual Forest Rights Act claims, the list of claims filed in a particular village, and the decisions made on those claims are particularly relevant for tribal community members.

Industrial Estates in Silvassa: The RTI Angle

Silvassa and the surrounding areas in Dadra and Nagar Haveli host one of India's densest concentrations of manufacturing units. Industries range from textiles, chemicals, plastics, and pharmaceuticals to engineering goods. This industrial presence creates several categories of RTI relevance.

Factory inspections: The Labour Department of the UT Administration is responsible for inspecting factories and ensuring compliance with the Factories Act and other labour legislation. RTI applications asking for inspection reports for specific factories, the compliance status of a factory following a complaint, and the action taken on reported violations of safety norms are legitimate and useful.

Environmental compliance: The Pollution Control Committee of the UT Administration (equivalent to a State Pollution Control Board) is responsible for issuing consents under the Water Act and Air Act, and No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for industrial operations. Neighbours of industrial units who are concerned about pollution can file RTI asking for:

• Copies of the Consent to Operate and Consent to Establish issued to a specific factory
• The results of ambient air and water quality monitoring in the industrial area
• Any show-cause notices or closure orders issued to a specific unit, and the action taken

EPFO (Employees' Provident Fund Organisation): The EPFO has a regional office in Silvassa that handles provident fund compliance for the industrial units in D&NH. EPFO is a Central Government body, and its Silvassa Regional Office is a public authority under Section 2(h). RTI applications to the EPFO Silvassa Regional Office — asking about the PF compliance status of a particular employer, the processing of an individual's PF withdrawal claim, or the action taken on a complaint about PF default — go through the Central Government RTI track. Second appeal: CIC.

DNHPDCL and Electricity in Daman and Diu

Two distinct electricity bodies serve the merged UT:

DNHPDCL (Dadra and Nagar Haveli Power Distribution Corporation Ltd) handles electricity supply in the Dadra and Nagar Haveli region. It is a UT body — substantially funded and controlled by the UT Administration.

The Electricity Department under the UT Administration handles electricity distribution in Daman and Diu.

Both are public authorities under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act. RTI applications relating to electricity connections, billing disputes, metering errors, power cut schedules, and electricity infrastructure works in their respective jurisdictions are handled by these bodies. Second appeal: CIC in both cases.

Practical RTI questions for electricity matters include:

• "The date on which an application for a new electricity connection at address, submitted on date, is expected to be processed, and the reasons for any delay."
• "A copy of the electricity consumption records and billing history for consumer number X for the period start date to end date."
• "The last inspection report for the transformer serving locality/survey number, and the date of the last maintenance check."

Fisheries: Daman and Diu's Coastal Economy

For coastal communities in Daman and Diu, the Department of Fisheries of the UT Administration is a significant public authority. Fishing is an important livelihood in both Daman and Diu.

RTI applications to the Fisheries Department are relevant when:

• A fishing boat registration or fishing licence application has been pending for longer than expected
• An application for a subsidy under a Central or UT fisheries scheme was submitted but not processed
• Questions arise about the permits system for fishing in designated zones
• There is a dispute about the issuance or renewal of a licence for a specific vessel

The Fisheries Department CPIO handles these applications. Second appeal: CIC.

Tourism in Diu: Beach Regulations and Construction Control

Diu's economy is significantly dependent on tourism. The beaches — Nagoa, Ghoghla, Jallandhar — attract visitors from across Gujarat and beyond. RTI is a useful tool for those dealing with government decisions about tourism infrastructure, beach regulation, and coastal construction.

No-construction zones and CRZ (Coastal Regulation Zone) compliance: The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and the National Coastal Zone Management Authority set the CRZ framework. At the UT level, the UT Administration's Town and Country Planning Department and the Coastal Zone Management Authority are the relevant bodies for CRZ compliance and NOC issuance.

RTI questions in the Diu tourism context might include:

• "A copy of the NOC or environmental clearance granted to specific resort/hotel for construction at location in Diu, including the conditions attached."
• "The total number of temporary structures on specific beach in Diu for which permits were issued for the current tourist season, and a list of permit holders."
• "A copy of the CRZ management plan currently in force for Diu."

Hospitals and Health Services

The UT Administration operates government hospitals and primary health centres across all three regions. These are public authorities under the RTI Act.

RTI applications to UT hospitals are relevant for:

• Patient treatment records (of the applicant themselves)
• Drug procurement and availability issues
• Staffing records and recruitment for medical positions
• Infrastructure works and tenders for hospital construction or equipment

Second appeal: CIC.

Recruitment and the Absence of a PSC

There is no separate Public Service Commission for this UT. All recruitment to gazetted posts in the UT Administration is either done through the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) or through the UT Administration's own recruitment process for subordinate posts.

For individuals who applied for a UT Administration job and have questions about their selection or rejection, RTI applications to the relevant recruiting authority — either UPSC (if the post is recruited through UPSC) or the UT Administration's administrative department — are appropriate. Second appeal: CIC.

Public Authority Quick Reference

How to File RTI in This UT

All public authorities in the merged UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu are Central Government bodies. Applications to these bodies are filed as Central Government RTI applications.

Online: The Central Government's RTI portal — verify the current official URL before filing — accepts applications for most Central Government bodies including this UT's Administration and departments. Payment of ₹10 can be made online.

By post: Applications can be sent by registered post to the CPIO of the relevant department. The ₹10 fee can be sent as a demand draft or Indian Postal Order (IPO) in favour of the accounts officer of the department.

Section 7(5): BPL cardholders are exempt from the application fee. Upload or enclose a copy of the BPL card.

First Appeal (Section 19(1)): Within 30 days of the date of the CPIO's decision or the expiry of the 30-day response period, whichever is applicable, file a First Appeal with the First Appellate Authority within the same public authority.

Second Appeal (Section 19(3)): If the First Appeal is unsatisfactory, file a Second Appeal with the CIC within 90 days. The CIC can order disclosure and impose penalties under Section 20 — ₹250 per day up to ₹25,000 on the defaulting CPIO.

How RTISathi Can Help

Navigating RTI in a recently merged UT — with three geographically distinct regions, different historical land record systems, and a dense industrial base — requires knowing which department within the UT Administration holds which information.

RTISathi.com provides end-to-end RTI filing support for residents of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. We identify the correct public authority for your query, draft the application with specific, legally framed questions under Section 6 of the RTI Act, file through the official portal, and handle First and Second Appeals to the CIC when initial responses fall short.

Visit RTISathi.com or write to [email protected]. RTISathi charges ₹149 + GST per application — payable only after you have reviewed the draft and are satisfied.