Correspondence between SK Chakma & GoI before and after India’s Independence was sought - PIO: the Appellant could consult the records of the archives & all facilities as per rules would be provided to him to carry out his research - CIC: Order upheld
6 Dec, 2014Facts:
This matter pertains to an RTI application dated 7.11.2012 filed by the Appellant, seeking information regarding communications/ correspondence between Sneha Kumar Chakma and Government of India before and after the Independence of India. The CPIO responded on 21.12.2012 and informed the Appellant that he could consult the records of the Respondents to look for the information needed by him and that all facilities as per rules would be provided to him to carry out his research. The Appellant filed an appeal to the First Appellate Authority on 8.2.2013. In his order dated 25.3.2013, the FAA drew his attention to the CPIO’s reply. The Appellant filed second appeal to the CIC on 10.6.2013, which was received by the Commission on 21.6.2013.
2. The Appellant was not present in spite of a written notice having been sent to him. The Respondents reiterated the reply already given by them to the Appellant. In the above context, we note that the issue of provision of information on specific issues by the National Archives of India was considered by us at some length in another case and order No. CIC/BS/A/2013/000081/SH dated 11.3.2014 was passed. In this order we made the following observation:“........... we do not see any ground to interfere with the decision of the Respondents, advising the Appellant to search their records to obtain the requisite information, in terms of the Public Records Act, 1993 and the Public Records Rules, 1997.”
The above observation is germane to the matter before us. In view of the foregoing, we uphold the decision of the Respondents in this case.
3. With the above observations, the appeal is disposed of.
4. Copies of this order be given free of cost to the parties.
(Sharat Sabharwal)
Information Commissioner
Citation: Shri Ven Somojyoti Bhikkhu v. National Archives of India in File No. CIC/BS/A/2013/001534/SH