Information regarding release of grant-in-aid to voluntary organization working for the welfare of STs - CIC: Maharashtra has not taken any action on the letter sent by the GoI - CIC: PIO to send reminder, Govt. of Maharashtra to take action
1 Oct, 2018
ORDER
FACTS:
1. The appellant sought information regarding release of grant-in-aid under the scheme of Grant-in-aid to voluntary organization working for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes in respect of Adivasi Vikas Gramin Sanstha Dhanpur for the year 2010-2012. The CPIO replied on 16.04.2018 that it was duly recommended by State Committee of Maharashtra and to inform that such proposal was not considered/approved by Ministry of Tribal Affairs during that period of time as in addition to State recommendation, Project are considered based upon the merit of the Project and budget outlay of the scheme.
Decision :
2. The appellant stated that Adivasi Vikas Gramin Sanstha Dhanpur, an organization voluntarily working for welfare of Scheduled Tribes, had submitted a proposal on 14.03.2012 to release grant-in-aid from Central Government under the scheme of grant-in-aid to voluntary organizations working for the welfare of scheduled tribes for the period 2011-12. The appellant produced the copy of list of voluntary organizations whose ongoing and fresh projects were recommended by the State Level Committee of the Maharashtra under Chairmanship of Principal Secretary, Tribal Development Department on 07.03.2012. He stated that the Committee considered 20 projects and the name of Adivasi Gramin Vikas Sansthan Dhanapur was included in the list.
3. Mr. Rajiv Kumar Singh, CPIO and Section Officer, submitted that the organization had submitted a proposal in during 2011-12 but due to shortage of funds the Central Government informed the Government of Maharashtra to submit fresh proposal in 2012-13. Mr. P.K. Sahoo, Under Secretary to Govt. of India provided another reminder to the Principal Secretary, Tribal Development Department, Government of Maharashtra through letter dated 08.01.2013 to send the proposal along with recommendation of the State Government urgently to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India so that release for 2012-13 could be considered. However, there was no fresh proposal from the State Government regarding sanction of grant to Adivasi Gramin Vikas Sansthan Dhanapur. He also stated that the letter for sending fresh proposal was only given to the Government of Maharashtra and not to the appellant.
4. The Commission finds that the State Government of Maharashtra has not taken any action on the letter dated 08.01.2013 sent by the Government of India. The Commission directs the CPIO to send another reminder to Tribal Development Department, Government of Maharashtra to take action on the letter dated 08.01.2013 sent by Government of India, Ministry of Tribal Affairs and provide certified copy of letter dated 08.01.2013 to the appellant, within ten days. The Commission recommends the Principal Secretary, Tribal Development, Government of Maharashtra to send response and action taken on the letter dated 08.01.2013.
SD/-
(M. Sridhar Acharyulu)
Central Information Commissioner
Citation: Shri Murlidhar Keshav Alam v. M/o Tribal Affairs Respondent in Second Appeal No.: CIC/MOTLA/A/2018/140758, Date of Decision – 14.08.2018