Whispers Forum

The Respondent submitted that the instant RTI Application seeking information about the EPF has not been registered for want of appropriate Indian Postal Order (IPO). As the postal order was not drawn on the local postal office, it could not be encashed and hence, the PIO returned the application for the want of requisite fee. The initial IPO was returned and the Appellant was informed regarding the correct mode of payment but the Appellant did not adhere to the same. The CIC observed that the instant RTI Application has not been registered till date for want of mandatory fee through the appropriate mode of payment. Hence, the CIC considered the Second Appeal as ‘infructuous’.
Comments
The IPO should be drawn in the favour of the Accounts Officer of the public authority. If the name of the Office is not known, the name of the city may be mentioned on the IPO while stating the number of the IPO on the RTI application.
Citation: Rukmani Panigrahi v. Food Corporation of India in Second Appeal No. CIC/FCIND/A/2021/153974, Date: 20.01.2023
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

In many cases it is known that someone has committed a wrong and needs a document to prove it. It is felt that in cases of serious allegations, the documents should be provided under RTI as there would be no way to otherwise prove an allegation. A culprit may use the privacy provision to prevent any information from going out and the system would act to prevent any leakage of information. Such a closed system breeds corruption and nepotism. It would be in the public interest to disclose the information under RTI Act to deny or prove the charges.
Sudhanshu Trivedi

I fully agree with views expressed by Col. V K Gupta regarding MoD and mismanagement, especially service officers. I know one case one officer was boarded out of services due to medical reasons, medical condition happened due to duty activities, was boarded out in 1979 but got his pension, pension arrears in end 2005, even after SC judgment payment was delayed for two years, all this happened courtesy mismanagement or mishandling by MoD stalwarts. GoI must pull them or give some powers to services itself.
Harish Kumar

Pakistan was a major producer of wheat. It had got better irrigation system in 1947. Now it imports wheat. But the Ukraine and Russian war has prevented them from accessing those countries. They can buy from wheat but they will have to bend their ego to something which they will not.
A K Agnihotri
Trials should be on fast track
Totally agree with the implied suggestion of selected cases of harassment. These are total wastage and diversion of time, focus and efforts on wasteful exercise instead for devotion to duty. These trials should be fast tracked and not linger on endlessly causing financial, time & emotional drain of a soldier
Himanshu