Two CPIO passed the buck to each other regarding information about the total amount deposited towards appellant’s GPF Account - CIC: Both PIOs to coordinate with each other, for taking necessary action & inform the updated GPF status to the appellant
3 Dec, 2015The appellant sought information regarding total amount deposited towards his GPF Account - The M/o Food Processing Industries & FSSAI passed the buck to each other – CIC: appellant, being an employee, of both the respondent authorities, at some or the other time, is being made to run from pillar-to-post for finding the status of his GPF contribution - CIC: Both PIOs to coordinate with each other, for taking necessary action and inform the updated GPF status to the appellant
Information sought:
The appellant sought information regarding total amount deposited w.e.f. May 1999 to September, 2013 towards GPF Account No.DD/MFPI/ND-7, certified copy of GPF ledger along with its note-file.
Relevant facts emerging during hearing:
Both the parties are present. The appellant filed an RTI application on 25.08.2014, seeking the above information. CPIO/Asst. Dir., FSSAI transferred the RTI application to CPIO/US vide letter dt. 29.08.2014. CPIO/US in his reply stated that the records are in custody of FSSAI and that the Pay & Accounts Office is not maintaining his GPF Account. The FAA in his order upheld the CPIO’s decision.
The respondent from FSSAI stated that the RTI application was transferred to the Ministry on 29.8.2014 informing that GPF account in question is maintained by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, but the same was returned stating that PAO is not maintaining the GPF account of the appellant and that the question of calculation of interest on GPF accumulation does not arise. He further stated that the employees administrating Food laws under the Ministry were transferred to FSSAI in December, 2008. The appellant was one of them who transferred on 01.12.2008. He stated that the appellant opted for Central Government when he exercised his option in 2012 and was repatriated to the Ministry on 03.09.2013. He informed the Commission that since the deductions were being made one regular basis and sent to PAO, the FSSAI did not maintain GPF accounts for any employee, either on deputation or deemed deputation. He stated that hence, the FSSAI is not the custodian of the information sought by the appellant.
The respondent from the Ministry stated the final statement has not been received by the FSSAI, only transfer advice received. He stated that on receipt of the transfer entry, appellant’s case can be dealt with. The respondent stated that he will have to check on this from the Accounts Dept.
Decision:
After hearing the parties and on perusal of record, the Commission finds that appellant, being an employee, of both the respondent authorities, at some or the other time, is being made to run from pillar-to-post for finding the status of his GPF contribution. Both the Ministry and FSSAI are passing the buck to each other stating that the GPF Account of the appellant was never opened at FSSAI and that the Ministry is waiting for the transfer entry from FSSAI, to take further action. The Commission finds it most unfortunate that a Govt. Servant is suffering at the hands of his employers.
In the above circumstances, the Commission directs both CPIO, FSSAI and CPIO/US, M/o Food Processing Industries to coordinate with each other, for taking necessary action and inform the updated GPF status to the appellant, as sought in his RTI application, along with relevant documents, if any, within 3 weeks of receipt of this order, under intimation to the Commission, failing which warranted action u/s 20 shall be initiated. Secretary, M/o Food Processing Industries and Chairperson, FSSAI are directed to take note of the manner in which the appellant’s case has been dealt by both the respondent authorities. The Deputy Registrar of this Bench is directed to send a copy of this order to Secretary, M/o Food Processing Industries and Chairperson, FSSAI, for necessary action. The appeal is disposed of accordingly.
(Yashovardhan Azad)
Information Commissioner
Citation: Shri Anil Kumar v. Food Safety & Standards Authority of India, M/o of Food Processing Industries in F.No. CIC/YA/A/2014/003160