Delhi MCD officers pulled up by the CIC for being negligent
15 Jan, 2012Background
The appellant sought information regarding reasons for not scrutinizing the plan of a property of New Delhi, copy of any order passed in relation to High Court direction to MCD to pass a suitable order on the application for regularization of the construction with in a period of two weeks from 22.10.2008, the de-sealing order of property and related information. The appellant was not satisfied with the reply received from the PIO while the FAA did not pass any order within the time limit.
View of the CIC
The Commission observed that the PIO has given a completely irresponsible reply saying that the appellant should pay Rs. 2/- per page for information without specifying how much the appellant should for how many pages. The Commission took a note of the fact that despite repeated warnings, the PIOs and FAAs continue to be absolutely negligent and careless in dealing with RTI applications. The Commission further noted that the appellant has been unnecessarily harassed into filing the second appeal and public money is being wasted because of such neglect by MCD officers in doing their duty under the RTI Act. Therefore, the Commission directed to compensate the appellant for the loss and detriment suffered by in filing the appeal and the delay in getting the information by an amount of Rs. 2000/- 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 Commission also directed to provide the information.
Citation: Mr. Shanker Dass Falwaria v. Municipal Corporation of Delhi in Decision No. CIC/SG/A/2011/002855+002856/16517