PIO has to explain the reasons for delay in providing the information under RTI
25 Oct, 2012Background
The applicant filed an application under the Right to Information (RTI) Act seeking information relating to pay scales of specific employees, arrear payments received by them etc. The PIO furnished some information; the applicant was not satisfied and after a failed First Appeal approached the Central Information Commission (CIC). The Commission held that complete information has been furnished to the appellant and directed the PIO to show-cause why a penalty should not be imposed on him for not providing the information within the stipulated period of one month. Later the Commission received a petition from the appellant stating that incomplete information had been received against some points of his RTI queries. Subsequently another hearing was called for and during the adjudication of the matter at that stage, the appellant submitted that he had received the complete information but wanted further clarification on the replies that have been provided. The Commission ruled that available information has been provided by the respondents to the appellant and that now the matter can only be sorted out in a one to one discussion between the appellant and the PIO. The Commission directed the PIO to hold a personal hearing with the appellant and to sort out the issue related to arrear payments.
View of CIC
The Commission observed that the PIO followed the directions given by the CIC however he failed to give any explanation for the delay in furnishing of the information. The Commission imposed a penalty of Rs. 11,500 upon the then PIO due to delay of 46 days in providing the information.
Citation: Mr. Sadasiba Sahoo v. South Eastern Railway Divisional Railway Manager’s Office in File No: CIC/OP/A/2009/000207AD
RTI Citation : RTIFI/2012/CIC/749
Click here to view original RTI order of Court / Information Commission