Whispers Forum

The absence of public information officers during the hearing before the CIC shows the degree of respect the information commission has in the eyes of the government officials. They have little regard for the commission and deny the information with impunity. The fear of the commission is lacking and the CIC must exert itself to command the respect it deserves. It must use the penal provisions in all the deserving cases without any bias. Unless the CIC exhibits that it means business, who would care for a paper tiger?
S Nankani

One Hundred crore united under Hindutva, seen & felt after the inauguration of Ram Mandir at Ayodhya. Narendra Modi has given his 100% as a BJP Jan sevak & Prime Minister of India which is praised worldwide; the rising sentiments with huge number make India a Super power along with other major factors including Stable and Influential Government, Skilled Manpower, upward economy, Military expertise & rich in culture, Make in India will boom the Industrial sector & currency will be seen strengthening shortly, known for Jugad, Indians will soon rule the world economy.
Vivek Dhawan

Information about the clause under which CHAFAA allowance of the appellant was not adjusted and other information was sought from the Bihar Regimental Centre. The Respondent informed the CIC that a sum of Rs. 1,08,258/ - in lieu of CHAFAA was remitted in the account of Appellant. The CIC noted that the core contention has already clarified by Respondent through written submission that this amount was credited to the account of Appellant. The CIC found no infirmity in the response furnished in terms of the RTI Act. Further, the CIC cautioned the Respondent to be careful in future and avoid causing disregard to the hearing proceedings by remaining absent before the bench to avoid attracting penal action.
Comments
The case law depicts how the RTI Act is being used by citizens for grievance redressal. It also shows that even after providing the information to the appellant and solving his grievance, the public authority was at the receiving end before the CIC as the PIO abstained at the hearing proceedings.
Citation: Dhage Sandip Sudam v. Pay Account Office (ORs), Bihar Regimental Centre, File No : CIC/PAYAO/A/2022/149251/CGDAC; Date of Decision : 11-01-2024
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

After Nitish Kumar returns to NDA, it will be interesting to see what turn the politics of Bihar takes in the coming days. After the swearing-in ceremony, a meeting of the House will be called and a vote of confidence will have to be taken. Tejashwi Yadav is waiting for the moment when the trust vote will be debated. On the other hand, Lalu Yadav has been authorized to take any final decision due to which it is being speculated that many things can take a turn now. It appears that Lalu is active in dealing with any situation arising after Nitish Kumar's decision.
Ankita Kumari

Though the entire country wants to see a strong and decisive government under Narendra Modi again in 2024 but at the same time people want to see a strong opposition which BJP provided to the Nation from 2004 when UPA was in power. It is sad to see the steady decline of Congress under Rahul Gandhi's remote control advised by leftist coterie in Congress and outside. Instead of working 24 ×7 like PM and BJP leaders for the party and stitching crucial alliances before elections Rahul Gandhi and entire Congress is on a 5 star tourism yatra and the people of this country are enjoying it thoroughly and are convinced not to vote and give power to such Non serious politicians who may derail the pace of development which our country is witnessing now. At present pace, it won't be a surprise if Congress is reduced below 40 seats and some other regional party may get better numbers to claim opposition space.
S Saboo

Recently there was a report in TOI that an Israeli company held an interview for recruiting skilled workers for them. The Haryana Government issued an order that workers from outside Haryana will NOT be allowed to attend interviews. This is strange as the recruitment was for a job in Israel, how can the Haryana Government deny other Indians to attend interviews? While all political parties talk of 'Bharat as one Nation', the ground realities are different. Our constitution also allows every Indian to live and work in any part of the country. The Central Government should take action against the Haryana Government for this discrimination to outsiders.
S Gopal

It creates a lot of difficulty flying international aircrafts or staying in hotels abroad because of a lack of understanding of vegetarian food habits of a vast majority of Indians who do not consume meat, fish or egg but live on grains, vegetables and fruits. How did vegetarian food habits develop as the human beings had started as a meat eating species? True, and perhaps, all Indians too were like others. To solve this conundrum it needs to have a gentle idea about Indian thought. India had become a knowledgeable society much before others began to join. Science, maths and statistics were applied to unravel the mysteries of the world and promote a healthy lifestyle.
M L Gupta

The way the debt of the country and state governments is increasing is very worrying. According to a report, the amount of debt is becoming equal to the country's GDP. Statistics show that the loan amount of Rs 200 lakh crore has currently increased to Rs 205 lakh crore in March 2023. If the Indian government continues to borrow at this pace, then there is no denying that the country will have 100 percent debt of GDP. It is well known that 'debt', which was associated with compulsion in ancient times, seems to be gaining its influence as a common practice in the modern era.
Ankita Malviya

An online RTI application was filed seeking certain information from the CPIO, CBDT, New Delhi who transferred the RTI Application to the CPIO, Principal CCIT New Delhi who in turn transferred the application to the CPIO, PCIT New Delhi to send the information directly to the Complainant. The Complainant filed a complaint with the CIC on the ground of non-receipt of proper reply from the CPIO except mere intimation of transfer of RTI Application. The respondent submitted that inadvertently, the then Nodal Officer (RTI) /CPIO in office of the Pr. CCIT could not transfer the RTI application to the concerned CPIO Income Tax Officer, Ward 59(8), D-Block, Vikash Bhawan, I.P. Estate, New Delhi. The respondent expressed their regret and submitted that this type of mistake will not occur in future. The CIC observed that such casual conduct of the CPIOs' tantamount to disregard for the proceedings of the Commission and also cause unwarranted obstruction to the Complainant's right to information which is in grave violation to the provisions of RTI Act. The CIC issued show cause notice to the CPIO but after hearing the submissions, held that there is no malafide or deliberate omission on the part of the Respondent and penalty proceedings were dropped.
Comment
While transferring an application filed under the RTI Act under section 6(3), a CPIO must exercise due caution to identify who is the concerned CPIO. It would save time and avoid unnecessary delay in providing the information.
Citation: Anurag Agarwal v. Income Tax Department, Complaint No. CIC/CBODT/C/2022/651966; Date of Decision: 29.12.2023
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