Removal of unauthorized water motors along with the water lines
8 Jan, 2013Background
The appellant filed an application under the Right to Information (RTI) Act with Superintendent Engineer of Delhi Jal Board (DJB) wanted to know whether it is legal to install unauthorized water motor along with the water meter that has been initially installed. He also sought the rules in respect of such installation. The Public Information Officer (PIO) provided point wise information and informed that unauthorized water motor was not allowed to be installed along with water line. The PIO also enclosed the copy of relevant rule under section 19(3) A second appeal against the decision under sub-section (1) shall lie within ninety days from the date on which the decision should have been made or was actually received, with the Central Information Commission or the State Information Commission: Provided that the Central Information Commission or the State Information Commission, as the case may be, may admit the appeal after the expiry of the period of ninety days if it is satisfied that the appellant was prevented by sufficient cause from filing the appeal in time. of the DJB Act. On appeal, the First Appellate Authority (FAA) advised the appellant to approach other mechanisms for the redressal of his grievance.
Proceeding
During the hearing before the Central Information Commission (CIC), the appellant submitted that as the installation of water motors on water lines was illegal, the Commission may direct the DJB to remove all such motors. The respondent informed that the illegal water motor has been disconnected from the water line at the appellant’s residence and produced photographs as documentary evidence to prove it.
View of CIC
The Commission noted that the appellant’s grievance has been redressed and the purpose of filing the RTI application has been achieved. Holding that the request of the appellant is beyond the ambit of the RTI Act, the Commission recommended taking appropriate action to remove all illegal water motors connected to water lines in the said area in the interest of the public. The Commission closed the case with these directions.
Citation: Mr. Raj Kapoor v. Delhi Jal Board in File No: CIC/AD/A/2012/001874
RTI Citation : RTIFI/2013/CIC/943
Click here to view original RTI order of Court / Information Commission