RTI RTI (1)
Repair of quarter by CPWD
Appellant sought information about his online complaint regarding minor repair in Type 4 quarter, the note taken from allottee that he is satisfied with the work and others. The Appellant expressed his dissatisfaction with the fact that neither the necessary repairs works has been carried out by the Respondent Public Authority despite repeated complaints nor his First Appeal has been adjudicated till date. The Respondent submitted that the First Appeal was never received in their office because the address mentioned by the Appellant was not correct. However, at the behest of the CIC, he submitted that copy of First Appeal is now received by him with the hearing notice of the CIC, and he will place a copy of it before the FAA for final order. The CIC observed that First Appeal of the Appellant is not heard by the FAA till date and the Respondent pleads to allowing placing it before the FAA. The CIC directed that a fair and proper hearing be conducted by the FAA, by giving due opportunity to both the parties to present his case. Hence, the Appeal was remanded back to the FAA for adjudication of First Appeal upon providing fair hearing to both the parties. The First Appeal shall be decided by a reasoned, speaking order on merits within four weeks from the date of receipt of this order.
Comments
The First Appellate Authority is an important link in the implementation of the provisions of the RTI Act, 2005. Every FAA should play the role assigned to ensure that the first appeal is disposed timely.
Citation: Amit Kumar v. CPWD, CIC/CPWNR/A/2023/109325; Date of Decision: 29-04-2024
RTI (2)
Link at which the case has been reported is given below from where the comments and citation may be checked-
https://www.whispersinthecorridors.com/detail/120427-DATE+WITH+RTI.html
The comments and citation mailed by me on 17.06.2024 can be checked from the mail and the relevant part which has not been reported is given below:-
Comments
High Court of Delhi in Union of India v. R. Jayachandran WP (C) 3406/2012 dated 19.02.2014 held that passport details, copies of birth certificate and copies of records of educational qualification are personal information, the disclosure of which would cause unwarranted invasion to the privacy of individuals unless there was an overbearing public interest in favour of disclosure. A similar view was taken by the High Court of Delhi in Ministry of External Affairs v. Asmita Sachin Waman, WP (C) 3735/ 2020 decided on 21.111.2022.
Citation: Shri Anurag Mittal v. Regional Passport Office, New Delhi, CIC/PASOF/A/2023/610640; Date of Decision : 27.03.2024
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
Forum Congress lacks organizational capability
They will be overconfident! Congress doesn't have the organizational capability remaining....BJP will see its rise in West Bengal and UP!
Abhishek
Hathras tragedy: Faster follow-up action needed
The stampede killed 121people, largely women and children, injuring hundreds others. Not an isolated incident .Such incidents will continue to happen in future unless exemplary action is taken against the primary, secondary and tertiary offenders for exploiting the superstitious, illiterate devotees. Strangely, the kingpin is still at large. His name is not included in the FIR by the UP police despite the former's dubious antecedents. Failure of local intelligence unit, must be looked into? A combination of factors have contributed to the disaster. First and foremost, the high turnout of devotees is disproportionately larger than the “guestimate” submitted by the organizers to the offices of DM and the SSP. Second, lack of expertise in crowd management by the unprofessional sevadars. Third, the poorly managed venues and infrastructure. Was prior exercise on access control at the venue, carried out by the authorities? There was reportedly a single common entry and exit route. Many questions arise whether the Standard operating procedure was followed? Why was adequate police force not deployed at the venue? Was prior inspection carried out by the district authorities before granting permission? DM, SSP will have much to explain. A tragedy of such gigantic proportion calls for a judiciary-monitored inquiry by a professional, independent agency like the CBI. The inquiry by the State machinery is not advised especially as district officials are directly involved. A time limit should be fixed for completion of inquiry and conviction of all concerned by the authorities. The officers and their subordinates cannot be let off with mere warnings. Departmental proceedings should be initiated straightaway to fix their culpability, negligence and dereliction of duties .This could take place along with criminal proceedings in the court of law. The CBI, one hopes, would, no doubt, scrutinize the sources of disproportionate assets acquired by the Godman over the years and the sources of funding..There are several unauthorized buildings belonging to him in several States across the country. Where did the capital come from? Inter-states ramifications. Why were these assets and sources of funding not brought under the radar of income tax authorities and ED? It looks like concrete action is being avoided for inexplicable reasons to protect the offenders. One trusts, a bold Forum like the WIC puts its best foot forward for bringing about Ethics in governance, liquidation of corruption, probity in public life and rule of law. Laid back approach will mean travesty of justice.
A K Saxena (A former civil servant)
