Are CGM, BSNL and ITPC, BSNL different public authorities?
24 Jan, 2013Background
The appellant filed an application under the Right to Information (RTI) Act with the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL) seeking a copy of letter regarding his transfer. The Public Information Officer (PIO) did not respond to the appellant.
Proceeding
During the hearing before the Central Information Commission (CIC), the appellant stated that the information was denied stating that he should approach ITPC whereas the said letter is available in the office of CGM (T) BSNL. He added that even if the said letter was not available at the office of CGMT, the PIO should have sought assistance of his counterpart in the ITPC as per section 5(4) of the RTI Act and furnished the information. The respondent admitted that a copy of transfer letter sought by the appellant is available on record and stated that the PIO who was there at the time of filing the RTI application is now posted at Delhi in the Ministry of Communication.
View of CIC
The Commission directed the PIO to furnish the information to the appellant. Under section 19(8)(b) In its decision, the Central Information Commission or State Information Commission, as the case may be, has the power to require the public authority to compensate the complainant for any loss or other detriment suffered; of the RTI Act, the CIC awarded a compensation of Rs.1000/- to the appellant for the inconvenience and detriment caused to him as he had to pursuit the information for a long time.
Citation: Mr. G. Saibaba v. BSNL in File No. CIC/LS/A/2011/004296/BS/1150-Adjunct-I
RTI Citation : RTIFI/2013/CIC/984
Click here to view original RTI order of Court / Information Commission