Whispers Forum

Appellant sought certain information about inquiry report about Ganeswar Behera which was denied under section 8(j) of the RTI Act, 2005 claiming that the required information relates to personal information the disclosure of which has no relationship to any public activity or interest. During the hearing before CIC, the Appellant submitted that she had sought information related to her husband but no information was provided to her. Ganeswar Behera was present in the hearing along with the Appellant and upon being queried by the CIC, he gave his ‘no objection’ to the Public Authority if the information related to him is parted with the Appellant. The CIC found no infirmity in the initial reply of the PIO, as the Appellant in her RTI application and first appeal has nowhere mentioned that the information sought is related to her husband and Ganeswar Behera has no objection in parting his information to her. The CIC directed the PIO to re-examine the RTI application and give information to the Appellant as per the documents available on record.
Comments
An individual should ideally file an application himself/ herself rather than asking the spouse to file an application. In case the latter is resorted to, a no objection certificate should be attached along with the initial RTI application.
Citation: Rosalini Behera v. East Coast Railway, CIC/ECRBH/A/2023/107864; Date of Decision : 12-04-2024
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

It is reported that two Irani agents installed an explosive device in the room of Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas chief, at the behest of Mossad, Israel. The complex where Haniyeh was staying is said to be heavily guarded. It is really a catastrophic failure of intelligence and security for Iran and a tremendous embarrassment for the Guards, which uses the compound for retreats, secret meetings and housing prominent guests like Haniyeh. World is looking forward to witnessing the further course of action by Iran in response to this booby-trap.
Sunil Kumar

This is indeed a rare instance, in fact the only one known to me, when a top Civil Servant chooses to take on himself the task of showcasing the journey of a critical sector like coal through the lens of the successive Captains of the Management Teams that led the development of the sector from the ashes to a vibrant transformed national jewel through tireless efforts over half a century. Sincerely expected the book to be a treasure of knowledge for generations associated with the Coal Sector, past, present and future.
Partha Sarathi Bhattacharyya, former Chairman Coal India Ltd

Aspirants must try to study without joining coaching. I agree with Mr Reddy that aspirants for various examinations must try to study without joining coaching institutes. But as I understand, there are very different approaches to school/ college education, competitive exams and entrance tests for MBA etc. While school education gives thorough book knowledge, which is very essential, competitive exams like Civils, etc. tests the knowledge of the candidate as to how he/ she applies the knowledge gained in schools. The next category of MBA entrance tests also tests the same knowledge as is tested in Civil etc exams - but with speed and accuracy. I hope this assessment is correct. At this point, I will disagree with Mr Reddy because applicability of knowledge to tests will need some kind of coaching and guidance, which may come from oneself or parents or coaching institutes. The coaching institutes sharpen the candidates knowledge to apply properly to the subject.
Pradeep
New generation should draw inspiration from 1957 batch IFS officer
Recently, Muchkund Dubey, IFS 57 died at the ripe old age of 90. He was first among all the candidates selected that year (1956 exam). Had he come first today, he would have been hailed all over social media for his feat of topping the exam from conditions of extreme poverty and films might have been made on him. He came from a dirt poor family. As a student, he never had more than one pencil. He bathed at a municipal tap and laid out his only dhoti to dry, wearing just his "gamcha". His Professors at Patna University would provide him with fees and often, a meal. Such was his brilliance that he topped the IAS exam despite the terrible poverty he was mired in. Once in the Indian Foreign Service, he addressed the UN. B K Nehru, ICS is supposed to have remarked that the speech was brilliant but he wished it had been delivered in an Oxbridge accent. Muchkund, the dirt poor Bihari that he had been born as, stuck to his Bihari accent. When he was posted to Bangladesh, he quickly attracted attention. But for that posting, he would never have made it to Foreign Secretary. To all the poor Biharis of that era, he was the example they all would try to emulate. The Civil Services Examination has always attracted talented young men and women from humblest of backgrounds and Muchkund was a very early example of merit defeating extreme poverty.
Vijay Kumar

After the UPSC serial scams, the focus has now shifted to coaching centres in Delhi. The MCD commissioner, his subordinates and owners of coaching centres, are liable to arrests for criminal negligence. All coaching institutes must be inspected for misusing the basements and culprits punished for violating the safety norms. The next of kin of the victims must be compensated by the government and the coaching institute for the loss of lives. The politicians must avoid the blame game and allow the law of the land to take its course.
A K Saxena ( A former civil servant)

The appellant raised queries like whether a Disciplinary Authority direct the charged official to submit a written statement of defence in a case of unauthorized absence from duties if there is no statement of misconduct or misbehavior under Rule 9 of Railway Servants (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1968. He demanded to provide the relevant guidelines. Before the CIC, he submitted that complete and correct information has not been provided to him. The CIC noted that more than 70 cases of the same Appellant against same/related Public Authority under Ministry of Railways have already been heard and disposed of by different benches while eleven second appeals of the Appellant were listed for hearing on the same day. The CIC observed that Appellant apparently wants to pressurize the Public Authority rather than actual interest in getting the information denied to him, if any. This intention of the Appellant militates against the spirit of the RTI Act whose primary objective is providing information to the citizen. It appears that the Appellant has grossly misconceived the idea of exercising his Right to Information as being absolute and unconditional. The CIC stated that the Appellant is harbouring a grievance and is not seeking access to information as envisaged under the RTI Act. Pointing out the powers under the RTI Act, the CIC cautioned the Appellant to exercise his right to information in an informed and judicious manner.
Comments
There have been many cases of repetitive RTI applications and such litigation is counter-productive to the RTI regime. An applicant should be judicious in the use of RTI Act and it should be used to obtain information rather than as a tool to harass the Public Authority.
Citation: Shankar Poddar v. M/o Railways, Railway Board, CIC/MORLY/A/2023/106645; Date of Decision : 28-03-2024
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