Whispers Forum

The Appellant filed an RTI application seeking information related to E-FIR regarding a cyber-fraud such as action on the FIR, as per the Citizens Charter, in how many days should HE expect reply on above FIR, the reasons under Sec 4 (1) (d) of the RTI Act for the delay, whether the above FIR contents are found frivolous etc. The appellant submitted before the CIC that the information provided was not clear and satisfactory. If the FIR in question was untraceable then it implies that there is laxity on the part of the organisation/ personnel involved and action should be taken against the erring official (s). The ACP tendered his apology for the ambiguity caused by the PIO’s response and clarified that while mentioning that the E FIR is untraced, the SHO, Sultanpuri implied that the accused are not traceable. The CIC observed that the RTI application has not been attended appropriately as the point wise reply of the SHO, Sultanpuri was poorly drafted causing ambiguity for the Appellant. Therefore, the CIC directed the PIO to provide a clear and cogent point wise reply with the updated factual position to the Appellant by 15.01.2024 under intimation to the Commission.
Comments
Readers would have noted the use of section 4(1)(d) of the RTI Act by the appellant to seek the reasons for the delay. A PIO should be careful while sending a reply to ensure an unambiguous reply.
Citation: Ms. Shikha Sharma v. Delhi Police, CIC/DEPOL/A/2022/125152; Date of Decision: 13.12.2023
Dr Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is a RTI Consultant currently working with IIM Visakhapatnam. She has co-authored the books, RTI Right to Information - Law and Practice and PIO’s Guide to RTI. She offers consultancy on RTI matters and Third party audit. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation of India at the link www.rtifoundationofindia.com

Prime Minister Modi not only knows the pulse of the people but polishes the raw diamond idea of Congress and Rahul Gandhi and finishes it on into fine cut diamonds and puts it for BJP victory crown. It was Rahul Gandhi who preached OBC politics without practicing it and considering OBC, SC and ST for any crucial Rajya Sabha seats or CM candidates or crucial party positions but Prime Minister Modi ensured maximum representation to these communities and got electoral benefits. Congress seems to have lost sight of things to come and are 10 years behind BJP in hard work, political strategy and giving retirement to old guards.
S C Saboo

The Appellant sought Action Taken Report with corroborative photographs in respect of Delhi Development Authority (DDA) Special Task Force (STF) complaint 2020031440075. He said that the RTI Application pertains to the removal of illegal construction and encroachment on roof terrace by his neighbour. The STF was constituted by the Hon’ble Supreme Court for removing the unauthorized construction, and in this particular case no action has been taken by DDA despite many complaints over three to four years. The appellant claimed dereliction of duty on the part of the concerned STF officials, as they have chosen to hide and to provide misleading information. The PIO explained that the complaint was forwarded to the concerned official which is SDMC, who have further booked the said unauthorised construction for removing the said encroachment. He further stated that STF meetings are conducted in every 15 days and this particular matter was taken up after which they have also provided the Action Taken Report to the Appellant. He informed that they are only authorized to direct the SDMC and they are not responsible for removing the encroachment. The appellant replied that an undated ATR has been furnished to him many a times which is of no value. Moreover, the SDMC is not following the directions of the STF, and cannot get away with accountability as well as responsibility by stating that they had forwarded it to some other department. He raised the concern that if the SDMC is not implementing the directions of STF as per directives of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, some actions should be taken against them but no such initiative has been taken even by the STF, which indicates that they are working hand in glove. The CIC directed the CPIO to re-examine the RTI application and furnish correct and detailed information to the Appellant. Further, the CIC observed that unauthorized construction poses a grave threat to both individuals and communities. Therefore, the CIC advised the Principal Commissioner (Housing) DDA, to consider the case of the Appellant in the backdrop of the above facts and take corrective action, if required.
Comments
The RTI Act, 2005 has been used by many applicants to enforce the rule of law. If an authority is not taking action as prescribed under law, the Act may be used to force it to take required action.
Citation: Captain P. J. Ashish v. Delhi Development Authority, CIC/DDATY/A/2023/610212-UM; Date of Decision: 06.11.2023
Dr Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is a RTI Consultant currently working with IIM Visakhapatnam. She has co-authored the books, RTI Right to Information - Law and Practice and PIO’s Guide to RTI. She offers consultancy on RTI matters and Third party audit. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation of India at the link www.rtifoundationofindia.com

The Hindi language deficiency of the three Gandhi claiming the hereditary right to rule has ruined the congress Party’s chance of ever coming to power in the Centre on its own. They have uttered words and expressions which are abuses so low that the speaker uttering those words is considered uncultured, uncouth and lowly bred. The Congress leaders of no consequence cheered them loudly every time one of them uttered those words. There are more than 90 such words and one such expression earned Rahul Gandhi jail term for two years besides disqualification as Member of Parliament (stayed by the Supreme Court but not exonerated).
M L Gupta

Why has the opposition lost massively in the recent elections? The opposition has no vision. All it has done is to try to dent the "sabka saath sabka vishwas sabka prayas" model of the BJP by resorting to divisive tactics of minorityism and rabid casteism. In the new India, these Stone Age issues have no traction with the voters. The opposition is not setting its house in order. The new India does not like the corrupt dynasts period. If the opposition wishes to retain the corrupt dynast model, they have only themselves to blame. The opposition cannot match the strategy, energy and hard work of the well oiled machinery of the BJP. The reason is that the opposition parties do not have any inner party democracy. No one can rise in the rungs of these corrupt dynastic parties on talent, merit, effort. The opposition does not have any ideology except inanely bashing the top leadership of the BJP. So what does the future hold? 400+ in 2024.
Vijay Kumar
Appointment of first woman officer as DG, ICFRE
She is an excellent officer with high values. I wish madam a successful tenure as DG, ICFRE.
Sudhir Kumar

The voices of all Indians have been clearly stated in the current elections this year. No surprise at all especially from our women folk in rural and urban India. They want their desires to be fulfilled now and not empty vacant promises tomorrow. They want: a pucca home in their villages fitted with a modern toilet; a gas connection in their kitchen; a water tap in their homes; an electricity connection for 24/7 supply; a school for their children; a medical hospital nearby; a proper road to their villages; ration shop in each village to distribute PM food program; the Ladli Behena Scheme by the current government in MP came close to fulfilling their demands. The silent female voters of India voted with their feet and gave full support to their MLAs who delivered the PM’s programs. The complete story came to the fore December 3, 2023. All India and even foreign governments overseas watched the results as promulgated by our Election Commission of India. The Opposition Alliance is in tatters today. Currently the BJP controls 16 States independently/ with allies. These States have around 275 Lok Sabha seats for General Election 2024. A SWOT analysis shows that the current NDA Alliance led by the BJP will build on the results of the current State Assembly Elections. Anything less would be extremely disappointing. We still have poor people in our country and they should be priority one in the manifesto of the NDA Alliance. Economically India is at around $ 4 trillion as an economy with $ 600 billion dollars in our forex reserves. We also hold about 25000 tonnes of Gold as reported by World Gold Council, both privately and in RBI. That is excellent news but needs building on. Our adversaries in Pakistan and China are totally stunned by the State Assembly Elections results. We need to build our military strength too as we lost $ 45 trillion in loot by invaders from overseas. Strength respects Strength only. Our country needs a firm guiding leader for the decade ahead ie 2024 and 2029 General Elections. A few days of rest and the NDA Alliance has hard work ahead to fulfill the expectations of the people of India before 2024 General Elections.
Devindra Sethi
Small space in forum for political thoughts
Sometimes I feel your forum space is too small for political thoughts and Supreme Court and CAT reportable judgments concerning government servants. If in addition to forum and RTI another two weekly columns can be introduced as National politics and Judgments concerning government officials where some relevant articles and reportable judgments can be posted.
S K Saboo

While, Modi-led BJP's triple victory in assemblies' polls is a landmark achievement, it brings demeaning setbacks for I.N.D.I.A bloc in succession. Who, in the Congress will own the responsibility for its dismal performance? Sadly, Rahul/Priyanka Gandhi, the dynastic scions, were being subtly projected during the election campaign as future Prime minister, sidelining senior leaders. On this reckoning, the ruling dispensation's victory in 2024 Lok sabha election, is anybody's guess. A weak Opposition is a sure threat to democracy. Hence, it is time for introspection for all.
A K Saxena (A former civil servant)