Central Information Commission
CIC/AD/C/2009/000465
Dated July 31, 2009
Name of the Applicant : Shri A.Manikandan
Name of the Public Authority : National Institute of Siddha
Background
1. The Applicant filed an RTI application dt.15.2.09 with the CPIO, NIS. He
requested for information against 8 points with regard to staff strength,
balance sheet, audit query etc. of NIS. On not receiving any reply, he filed an
appeal dt.6.4.09 with the Appellate Authority. On not receiving any reply
from the AA, he filed a complaint dt.19.5.09 before CIC. The CIC vide order
dt.25.6.09 directed the PIO to provide information to the complainant by
15.7.09 and also to showcause why a penalty of Rs. 250/- per day should not
be imposed on him for not furnishing the information within the statutory
period of one month..
2. The Bench of Mrs. Annapurna Dixit, Information Commissioner, scheduled the
hearing for July 31, 2009.
3. Mr.M.Subramanian, Sr. Research Officer represented the Public Authority.
4. The Applicant was not present during the hearing.
Decision
5. The Respondent submitted that the Institute was started only in 2005 an has
been running with staff on deputation from State Govt. and with some people
who were appointed on a contract basis till 2008. He stated that in 2008
posts were created and a number of staff were appointed . He added that he
joined only on 22.7.09 and was designated as the first CPIO of the Institute.
According to the Respondent, his first act was to comply with the Section 4
of the RTI Act . He created a website for the Institute and had all the relevant
information uploaded on it. He also ensured that the 17 manuals were
prepared . He added that on receipt of CIC’s order, the Appellate Authority,
who is the Director of the Institute, replied on 8.7.09 providing all the
information except the salary and balance sheet. He submitted that the
Annual Report which contains the Income Expenditure statement contains the
missing information, has been placed before the Parliament and once the
approval is accorded the missing information will be sent to the Complainant.
6. The Commission directs the CPIO to provide the missing information to the
Complainant within a week of approval of the Annual Report by the
Parliament.
(Annapurna Dixit)
Information Commissioner
Authenticated true copy:
(G.Subramanian)
Asst. Registrar
Cc:
1. Shri A.Manikandan
S/o shri A.P.Ayyappan
Old No.44, New No.46
Chinnababu street
Nammalwarpet
Chennai 600 012
2. The PIO
National Institute of Siddha
Tambaram sanatorium
Chennai 600 047
3. Officer in charge, NIC
4. Press E Group, CIC