Information regarding the pick and drop facility for the employees – needless transfer of application

Background

The rules and guidelines for the use of vehicles by different officials to go home from the office, during the odd hours while they go home after finishing their duty apart from the office hours and other related information was sought. The application was transferred from one office to the other and the appellant did not receive any information.

View of CIC

The Commission observed that the various officers have no understanding of the RTI Act or even appreciation of what is information and where it likely to be. The Commission recommended to the DG Doordarshan to arrange for proper training of the PIO and others who are handling the RTI applications. The Commission noted that given the mindless way in which the RTI application has been pushed around, it would be difficult to point point the responsibility on any one PIO. The Commission directed the Director General of the department to ensure that the appropriate PIO sends the information sought by the Appellant as per the records. The Commission, 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, also awarded a compensation of Rs. 3000/- to the appellant for the loss and detriment suffered by him while pursuing the appeals and not getting the information within the prescribed time.

Comments

Unnecessary transfer of application from one officer to another due to poor record management or due to the tendency of shifting the responsibility is not uncommon. It should be avoided lest an organisation faces penalty or compensation proceedings.

Citation: Mr. Bimal Kumar Khemani v. Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Prasar Bharti, AIR & Doordarshan in file no. CIC/SG/A/2011/002720