RTI Corner

The appellant filed RTI application seeking information on plan posts, non-plan posts, policy of UGC for the positions sanctioned under the scheme for the establishment centre for the study of social exclusion and inclusive policy regarding their extension from one plan to another etc. Multiple hearings were scheduled before the CIC in which interim orders were passed. The PIO submitted that due to her poor health condition she was not able to attend the Commission’s hearing on 13.02.2019. On a query by the CIC, she could not explain why the CIC order dated 02.01.2017 was not complied with by her on time. She further submitted that she is retiring from service on 31.03.2019 and in a similar case, a penalty of Rs 25,000 has already been imposed on her vide CIC order dated 13.02.2019 in case no. CIC/SA/A/2015/002095/00003/VN which she has paid already. The CIC observed that the PIO is on the verge of retirement but still did not understand the literal meaning of the order of the CIC, which is a matter of concern for the UGC. The Commission observed that the PIO was already penalised for non compliance of a CIC order and therefore, imposing penalty on her would literally amount to double jeopardy.
Comments
The objectives of the RTI Act is to ensure timely supply of relevant information to the appellant and imposing penalty bring no reform, until and unless the public authority authorities evolve a system to monitor and improve the system of disposal of the RTI applications.
Dr. Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is an expert on RTI matters and has co-authored the books RIGHT TO INFORMATION - LAW AND PRACTICE and PIO’s guide to RTI. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation of India at the link: http://www.rtifoundationofindia.com/

The Appellant sought information regarding tariff chart for parking of cars at Terminal 2 Delhi Airport. The PIO submitted that DIAL is a private authority and is entrusted with the responsibility of looking after all operational matters etc. of IGI Airport and therefore it is free to fix tariff as per Chapter XII of the DIAL Operation, Management and Development Agreement. He referred the RTI Application to Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) under Section 6(3) of RTI Act while mentioning in the same letter that DIAL is not a public authority under RTI Act. The CIC took grave exception to the reply of the CPIO observing it as absurd and admonishes the CPIO for his gross non-application of mind in dealing with the RTI Application. The CIC noted that Ministry of Civil Aviation has regulatory powers over all airports in India. The CIC held that if the PIO maintains that DIAL looks after all operational matters of IGI Airport, the Ministry of Civil Aviation should be in a position to access the information from DIAL if the same is not available with their office.
Comments
If DIAL is not a public authority under RTI Act, by implication Section 6(3) of the RTI Act has no applicability for the said authority. The definition of information under the RTI Act is wide. Under section 2(f), “information” means not only any material in any form held by the public authority but also any information relating to any private body which can be accessed by a public authority under any other law for the time being in force.
Dr. Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is an expert on RTI matters and has co-authored the books RIGHT TO INFORMATION - LAW AND PRACTICE and PIO’s guide to RTI. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation of India at the link: http://www.rtifoundationofindia.com/

Information regarding the list of pensioners, who are receiving pension from Andaman and Nicobar Islands administration under jurisdiction of Pay and Accounts Office Code 071383, issued by CGHS card in CGHS covered cities across India as also the list along with their details such as names, designation, CGHS card number, date of issue, etc. was sought . The Respondent expressed his inability to address the issues raised by the Appellant and stated that since issuance of CGHS cards was decentralized, no specific data was available with them. The CIC noted that the DoPT constituted a Task Force for the effective implementation of Section 4 of the RTI Act. The CIC expressed serious concern about the state of recordkeeping within the CGHS and directed the Director, CGHS to depute a team of officials to enquire into the entire matter and provide information to the Appellant. The CIC directed that a comprehensive and robust policy for digitization of its records to be evolved and implemented within a time bound manner for the ease and convenience of all concerned.
Comments
The implementation of section 4 of the RTI Act remains a dream which is yet to be realised in most of the government departments. The Department of Personnel and Training of the Government of India had constituted a Task Force for the effective implementation of Section 4 of the RTI Act. As a part of this Task Force, a sub group on ‘Guidelines for Digital Publication under RTI supporting Proactive Disclosure of Information’ held a one day consultation on ‘Formulating guidelines for digital publication under RTI supporting proactive disclosure of information’. Hopefully, the departments should start implementing the same in the right earnest.
Dr. Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is an expert on RTI matters and has co-authored the books RIGHT TO INFORMATION - LAW AND PRACTICE and PIO’s guide to RTI. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation of India at the link: http://www.rtifoundationofindia.com/

The Appellant sought copy of Roster of posting/transfer of civilian employees Mech. Infantry Regiment (MIR), which was denied under section 8(1)(j). In the submission to the CIC, Lt. Col. JS Brar, PIO went into the history of the service conduct of the Appellant to persecute his alleged habit of filing RTI Applications. The PIO stated that since the mother of the Appellant has expired, the reason for which he applied for compassionate posting has become null and void. The CIC observed that this by implication suggests that the PIO perhaps intends to apprise the bench that the information sought in the RTI Application is of no use to the Appellant now. The CIC severely warned the PIO to exercise due caution in future in matters of RTI Act. Further, the CIC ruled that as the denial of information under Section 8(1)(j) was completely inappropriate, the PIO was directed to provide specific and available information as sought in the RTI Application to the Appellant free of cost.
Comments
Under the RTI Act, an applicant is not required to provide any reasons for seeking information, nor is the applicant expected to have a pristine service record to be eligible to access information. The Act bestows a statutory right which can be exercised by any citizen irrespective of his reasons or the fact that he is a government servant or not. The PIO is only required to justify the denial of information under Section 8(1)(j) of RTI Act, without making any submissions relevant to RTI Act.
Citation: R V Wagh v. CPIO, The Mech Infantry Regiment in File No: CIC/IARMY/A/2018/101803/SD, Date of Decision: 06.02.2019
Dr. Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is an expert on RTI matters and has co-authored the books RIGHT TO INFORMATION - LAW AND PRACTICE and PIO’s guide to RTI. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation of India at the link: http://www.rtifoundationofindia.com/

The Complainant sought a copy of order issued for recovery of amount of HRA and LTC alleged to have been drawn illegally by certain individuals in Directorate of Sugar and Vegetable oil. The PIO submitted that appropriate reply was sent to the Complainant which was returned undelivered citing reason of non-availability of any such person. The CIC upheld the reply of the PIO and observed that the Complainant could perhaps be a fictitious person as both - the CPIO reply as well as Commission’s notice of hearing - has come back undelivered with similar remarks. The CIC dismissed the complaint.
Comments
A PIO must send the reply by speed post or registered post and retain the evidence of the reply sent to the RTI applicant which would be handy if a charge of not providing the information is made.
Citation: Lakhinder Singh v. CPIO, Directorate of Sugar and Vegetable Oil, Department of Food and Public Distribution in File No: CIC/DOFPD/C/2017/194444/SD, Date of Decision: 07/01/2019
Dr. Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is an expert on RTI matters and has co-authored the books RIGHT TO INFORMATION - LAW AND PRACTICE and PIO’s guide to RTI. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation of India at the link: http://www.rtifoundationofindia.com/

The PIO submitted that the copy of ACR/APAR of the Appellant and DPC note sheet was denied because he is a Defence Civilian employee. The Central Information Commission observed that the PIO has grossly erred in denying Appellant’s own ACR/APAR to him and the reasoning provided for the denial lacks rationality. The PIO was directed to provide copy of ACR/APAR of the Appellant, the copy of the relevant DPC note sheet and promotion order after appropriately blacking out portions pertaining to third party.
Comments
As per the Supreme Court judgment in the matter of Dev Dutt v. Union of India & Ors, the disclosure of ACR remarks of a “public servant, whether in civil, judicial, police or any other State service (except the military)” is the rule.
Dr. Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is an expert on RTI matters and has co-authored the books RIGHT TO INFORMATION - LAW AND PRACTICE and PIO’s guide to RTI. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation of India at the link: http://www.rtifoundationofindia.com/

The Appellant sought to inspect claim applications for 13th Press council made by certain Journalists Union and copies thereof. The CIC directed the PIO to appear in person before the bench alongwith relevant files for the ‘in-camera’ hearing to explain the denial of information under Section 8(1)(d), (j) and (e) of RTI Act. The CIC perused the records in detail and observed that apart from general information regarding the constitution, registration of the unions there are innumerable personal details of their members as well as financial details of the respective unions therein which cannot be even severed for provision. Observing that the no larger public interest has been claimed by the applicant, the CIC upheld the denial of information.
Comments
Just like any other Court, the CIC too holds ‘in camera’ proceedings. In case the information cannot be severed, the information can be denied to the RTI Applicant.
Citation: Vipin Dhuliya v. CPIO, Press Council of India in File No: CIC/PCIND/A/2017/170297/SD, Date of Final Decision: 30.11.2018
Dr. Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is an expert on RTI matters and has co-authored the books RIGHT TO INFORMATION - LAW AND PRACTICE and PIO’s guide to RTI. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation of India at the link: - Right to Information Act 2005- RTI Foundation of India

Details of criminal case registered against officers by CBI was denied u/s 24. The CIC took grave exception to the attempt of the representative of the CPIO to misrepresent facts during hearing to merely stand by the denial of information. The CPIO was warned to ensure that each RTI Application is assessed carefully for the applicability of Section 24 of RTI Act and to steer clear from using cyclostyled replies for all cases alike in future. The CIC observed that “it is unnerving to note that the CPIO does not mention his/her name in the replies provided under RTI Act which further reflects on the prima-facie evasive and callous approach of the CPIO in owning up to his/her acts of omission and commission”.
Comment
The reply to every RTI application should bear the name of the CPIO and each application should dealt with individually. A common cyclostyled reply for all cases should could land up the CPIO in trouble.
Dr. Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is an expert on RTI matters and has co-authored the books RIGHT TO INFORMATION - LAW AND PRACTICE and PIO’s guide to RTI. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation of India at the link: http://www.rtifoundationofindia.com/

Information regarding the approval of the buildings of Lawrence School Lovedale by the DTCP, number of canteens/ hostels, if any, in the aforementioned school, documentary evidence regarding their licensing by the competent authority was sought. As the information was not provided, the matter came up before the CIC. The representative of MHRD present at the hearing submitted that the School Authorities were not furnishing information despite the fact that they were a Public Authority and as per the letter issued by them No. F. No. 4-24/2007-Sch. 3 dated 01.09.2008, it was declared that the school fell under the ambit of Public Authority as defined under Section 2 (h) of the RTI Act, 2005. The CIC directed the Lawrence School Lovedale to disclose the information sought by the Appellant.
Comments
If an organisation is financed by government and it cannot function in the absence of such substantial financing, it would come within the ambit of a public authority.
Citation: Mr. Rajasekaran M v. CPIO and Headmistress, The Lawrence School Lovedale, The Nilgiris, Ooatacamund Tamil Nadu in Second Appeal No.:- CIC/DSELI/A/2018/185255-BJ, Date of Decision : 01.01.2019
Dr. Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is an expert on RTI matters and has co-authored the books RIGHT TO INFORMATION - LAW AND PRACTICE and PIO’s guide to RTI. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation of India at http://www.rtifoundationofindia.com/

Appellant submitted before the CIC that he has not received any reply from the CPIO or the FAA till date regarding his query about the ownership of a particular land. In response to a show cause notice for imposition of penalty, the PIO regretted that the RTI Application dated 31.03.2017 was not replied to. He further submitted that later, Appellant filed a RTI another RTI Application dated 02.02.2018 wherein he sought information which is covered in the information sought in RTI Application dated 31.03.2017 also. A reply dated 28.02.2018 was sent to the Appellant asking him to inspect documents and take copies as required. The PIO prayed that the show-cause proceedings may be dropped as there was no malafide intention in the failure to provide a reply on the RTI Application dated 31.03.2017 within the stipulated time frame. The CIC observed that the facts of the case reflect very poorly on the lack of rationality of the PIO even as malafide intention is not evinced. The CIC dropped the show-cause proceedings with a severe warning to the PIO to remain careful in future.
Comments
All the PIO’s should remember that each RTI Application has to be dealt as per the provisions of RTI Act. Merely on a belief that two very distinct RTI Applications seek similar information,a PIO cannot absolve himself from the statutory duty of replying to one of the RTI Applications within the stipulated time frame of RTI Act. Reply to one RTI Application cannot take care of the other even if the information is similar.
Citation: Kartik B Joshi v. CPIO O/o Cantonment Board, Devlali Cantt in Adjunct Decision File No. : CIC/IARMY/A/2017/155555/SD/Adjunct, Date : 26/12/2018
Dr. Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is the co-author of the books: RIGHT TO INFORMATION – LAW AND PRACTICE and PIO’s guide to RTI. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation of India at http://www.rtifoundationofindia.com/
Citation: Mr. Shiv Kirti Singh v. CPIO M/o. Finance in Complaint No. CIC/BS/C/2015/000189-BJ, Dept. of Revenue CBDT, Date of Decision: 17.04.2017, 29.11.2018

The CBDT conveyed to the CIC that the online application filed by the Complainant had not been attended to properly by the then PIO and that it was admitted that on receipt of the notice for hearing before the CIC, they learnt about the lapses on their part. The First Appeal that was filed online had also not been attended to about which the Respondent feigned ignorance. The CIC expressed its displeasure on the casual and callous approach adopted by the respondent in responding to the RTI application. With regards to the imposition of penalty u/s 20(1) of the RTI, Act it was stated that the RTI Application was received on the portal, which may not have been accessible to the then CPIO for reasons better known to him. After taking over the charge, the current CPIO had obtained the user ID and password to operationalize the access to the online applications. Penalty was not imposed and the CIC cautioned the PIO to exercise due care in future to ensure that information is furnished timely to the RTI applicant.
Comments
Online filing of RTI Applications was launched with the expectations that it would make the process easy and convenient. In this case, the Respondent admitted that there were a large number of issues in handling the online RTI applications due to technical problems and unskilled manpower. It appears that the whole system of online filing of RTI Applications needs a review.
Citation: Mr. Shiv Kirti Singh v. CPIO M/o. Finance in Complaint No. CIC/BS/C/2015/000189-BJ, Dept. of Revenue CBDT, Date of Decision: 17.04.2017, 29.11.2018
Dr. Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is the co-author of the books: RIGHT TO INFORMATION – LAW AND PRACTICE and PIO’s guide to RTI. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation of India at http://www.rtifoundationofindia.com/

The RTI applicant sought information regarding a certain mediclaim, penal actions that could be taken against the Medanta Hospital, Gurgaon for overcharging Rs. 750/- from insured as per the IRDA guidelines, action taken on complaint made to LIC of India and IGMS relating to the medical claim and issues related thereto. The CIC observed that the framework of the RTI Act, 2005 restricts the jurisdiction of the Commission to provide a ruling on the issues pertaining to access/ right to information and to venture into the merits of a case or redressal of grievance. The CIC observed that technically, the RTI queries had been replied by the Public Authority but the discussion during the hearing raised several issues regarding the mediclaims of the family pensioners under LIC-NIA Scheme and the issues associated thereto that need to be addressed meticulously by the Public Authority. The CIC advised the Public Authority officials to re-examine and re-evaluate the steps under taken by them for implementation of the mediclaim policy and ensure that the delivery mechanism is strengthened and made more robust.
Comments
The jurisdiction of the CIC under the RTI Act is limited. While deciding whether a citizen should or should not get a particular information “which is held by or under the control of any public authority”, the Information Commission does not decide a dispute between two or more parties concerning their legal rights other than their right to get information in possession of a public authority.
Citation: Mr. Akshay Kumar Malhotra v. CPIO Manager (CRM) LIC of India, Divisional Office in Second Appeal No. CIC/LICOI/A/2017/170260-BJ, Date of Decision: 16.11.2018
Dr. Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is the co-author of the books: RIGHT TO INFORMATION – LAW AND PRACTICE and PIO’s guide to RTI. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation of India at http://www.rtifoundationofindia.com/