Appellant’s representative stated that the public is suffering as the post office located at Mira Road etc are facing acute shortage of staff whereas there is huge surplus at GPO; - CIC: provide the information regarding reallocation of staff
2 Dec, 2014Information sought:-
The appellant has sought the following information regarding action taken on letter dated 17/01/2012 to CPMG & letter dated 09/09/2010 to Sh. A Raja, Hon. Minister for Communications & Information Technology (Deptt. of Posts), Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi – 110 001 for providing immediately staff-Postal Assistants as well as Postmen as per present workload and/or providing more Post Offices to Mira Road. i) Present actual strength of Postal Assistants & Postmen (in various categories and grades) at GPO and the strength admissible as per laid down yardstick from 2001 till date, indicating number of excess staff from time to time. Similar information in respect of excess staff in any other Post Offices as per yardstick and since when excess is continued. ii) Present actual strength of Mira Road Station Post Office of Postal Assistants & Postmen (in various categories and grades) and the strength admissible as per laid down yardstick and when more staff including supervisors will be provided as per yardstick and workload. Please, send information about action taken on these aspects of our letters, sending copies of notings of your office and decisions taken for not giving extra staff, as this is affecting interest of large number of citizens of Mira Road. In terms of Sec 4 (c) & (d) of RTI Act, 2005, Public Authority has to provide reasons for its administrative decisions to affected persons. Para 8 & 9 of Guide Lines to Public Authority –Part II of Memorandum no. 1/4/2009-IR dated 05/10/2009 issued by DoPT.
Grounds for the Second Appeal: The CPIO has not provided the desired information.
Relevant Facts emerging during Hearing: The following were present
Appellant: Mr. Gopi Pillai appellant’s representative through VC Respondent: Mr. G D Chaskar CPIO Mr. P L Bhaskaran CPIO Regional Office Mumbai & Mr. M. Yunus CPIO Thane through VC The appellant’s representative stated that the post office located at Mira Road and other post offices of suburban areas are facing acute shortage of staff whereas there is huge surplus at GPO as assessed by the postal authorities themselves and as a member of the public who is suffering on account of poor service he wants to know why the surplus staff at GPO is not being relocated to post offices facing acute shortage of staff. He cited Thane Division’s letter 13/03/2012 requesting for additional staff for Mira Road post office. The CPIO Regional Office stated that the matter is under examination and a decision is expected to be taken shortly which will be conveyed to the appellant.
Decision notice:
As stated the CPIO Regional Office he should provide the information regarding reallocation of staff to the appellant at the earliest and in any case within three months. The appeal is disposed of accordingly.
BASANT SETH
Information Commissioner
Citation: Mr. M. V. Ruparelia v. Department of Posts in File No. CIC/BS/A/2014/001537/6079