CAPIO explained that the delay occurred as the information was voluminous & had to be collected from other sections - Appellant: the respondents have merely said that the information is available on their website - CIC: compensation of Rs. 1000 granted
22 Oct, 2014Information sought:- The appellant through 23 queries spread over 03 pages had sought information related to services and complaints related to Phone/Mobile connection, landline and broad band. He wants all toll free numbers and email IDs to which a consumer can register his complaint related to telephone connections which provides 24X7 service, whether numbers such as 198 & 1500 record the credential and keypad dials, rule procedure, copy of citizen charter etc…
Grounds for the Second Appeal: The CPIO has not provided the desired information.
Relevant Facts emerging during Hearing: The following were present
Appellant: Mr. Alok Garg
Respondent: Mr. H S Rawat CAPIO, Mr. Harish Kumar, Mr. Sushil Kumar, Mr. Mukesh Meena A K Gupta. The appellant stated that he has not received any information in response to his RTI application dated 21/02/2013. The CAPIO stated that that the information has been provided vide letters dated 17/04/2013 & 08/05/2013 and copies were furnished again vide letter dated 06/09/2013 in response to the appellant’s 1st appeal. The appellant stated that he has not received any letter and should be provided the proof of dispatch. He further stated that even assuming that the respondent had sent the reply but it was written after the mandatory period of 30 days. The CAPIO explained that the delay occurred as the information was voluminous and had to be collected from other sections. The appellant after scrutiny of the reply dated 17/04/2013 contested stating that the respondent have merely said that the information is available on their website and hence there was no reasonable ground for the delay and compensation should be allowed for the harassment and inconvenience caused to him.
Decision notice:
The CPIO is directed to provide copy of letters dated 17/04/2013 & 08/05/2013 to the appellant forthwith along with the proof of dispatch. If thereafter, the appellant needs any further information relating to his RTI application dated 21/02/2013 he should be permitted to inspect the relevant records and also allowed to take photocopies/extracts there from, free of cost, upto 15 pages. From the foregoing it is apparent that the appellant has not received the information timely. For the inconvenience caused to him, he deserves to be compensated. Therefore, in exercise of the powers vested in the CIC in 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 we direct the department to compensate him by an amount of Rs.1000/- for the inconvenience and detriment caused to him. Accordingly, the CPIO should ensure that this amount is remitted to the appellant by demand draft/pay order within 30 days from the date of receipt of this order. The appeal is disposed of accordingly.
BASANT SETH
Information Commissioner
Citation: Mr. Alok Garg v. BSNL in File No. CIC/BS/A/2013/002044/5974