Discrepancy in issuance of “Lal Dora Certificates” by Delhi Jal Board
2 Apr, 2012Background
The appellant claimed that fake Lal Dora certificates (for granting exemption from water and sewage development charges) were issued to two people living in neighbouring houses by the Delhi Jal Board. He filed an RTI application regarding the verification of the Lal Dora certificates issued to them and on scrutiny noticed that the handwriting in the certificates was same while the issuing authorities were different. The appellant doubted that the above certificates issued to both the neighbourhood persons were fake. The Public Information Officer (PIO) replied that the files were not traceable and as directed by the Commission in an earlier Order on the same subject matter, they have lodged an FIR of the lost files.
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The respondents submitted that they have already shared the copy of the FIR with the appellant. They further stated that the concerned files of several people to whom Lal dora certificates were issued have been sent to SDM (Preet Vihar) for verification and that these files have not been returned. The appellant submitted that even after being directed and allowed by the Appellate Authority for the inspection of the concerned files, he was once again informed that the concerned files were not traceable. He also claimed that the statement of the PIO was not correct since the then SDM (Preet Vihar) in response to another RTI application had categorically informed him that no files have been received by them for verification of Lal Dora Certificates. The Central Information Commission directed the Appellate Authority & Chief Engineer (East)of the Delhi Jal Board to enquire into the matter under section 18(2) Where the Central Information Commission or State Information Commission, as the case may be, is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to inquire into the matter, it may initiate an inquiry in respect thereof. of the RTI Act, as to whether the files were sent to SDM for verification of Lal Dora certificate or not and to fix the responsibility and take appropriate action. The PIO was also directed to furnish an affidavit to the Commission with a copy to the appellant affirming that the Lal Dora certificates issued to the two different persons were genuine and that both of them have been exempted from water and sewage development charges.
Citation: Mr. Mahavir Singh Chadda v. Delhi Jal Board in File No. CIC/AD/A/2012/000637
RTI Citation : RTIFI/2012/CIC/186
Click here to view original RTI order of Court / Information Commission