CENTRAL INFORMATION COMMISSION
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Decision No. CIC/SG/C/2010/000586/13444
Complaint No. CIC/SG/C/2010/000586
Relevant Facts
emerging from the Complaint:
Complainant : Dr. Ali Javed
33, Probyn Road
University of Delhi, Delhi- 110007
Respondent : Mr. Jay Chanda
Public Information Officer & Dy. Registrar
University of Delhi
Main Campus, Delhi-110007
RTI application filed on : 31/10/2009
PIO replied : 09/11/2009
Complaint received on : 04/05/2010
Information sought:-
If the Department of Urdu was organizing funds for Golden Jubilee Celebrations the complainant wants
the following information:-
1. Agencies/ institutions approached so far for the purpose.
2. Amount of money received from different sources.
3. Are the accounts being maintained by any committee appointed by the department? Or
these accounts are being operated individually by the head of the department?
4. Is there any proposal to bring out a souvenir? If so, is the department collecting
advertisement in this regard? Please let me have a copy of the tariff.
5. Do these programmes have the approval of the decision making bodies of the University?
If yes, please provide a copy of the resolution in this regard.
Reply from PIO:-
1. No Agencies/ institutions approached so far for the purpose.
2. No amount of money received so far from different sources.
3. The accounts is properly maintained and for these purpose a bank account has been opened
on the name of GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATION. The signatories to this joint account
are Prof. Irteza Karim, Prof. T. A. Khan and Dr. Mohd. Kazim.
4. No advertisement for collecting funds for the publication of souvenir has been collected so
far.
5. These programmes were discussed in the Departmental Council meeting and it has proper
approval of it.
Ground of the Complaint:
Wrong Information provided by PIO.
Submissions received from the Complainant:
1. The Complainant, Dr. Ali Javed vide letter dated 04/05/201o submitted before the commission that
the PIO has provided wrong information that he has not approached any institution for funds for
Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the Department of Urdu
Relevant Facts emerging during Hearing:
The following were present
Complainant: Dr. Ali Javed;
Respondent: Mr. Jay Chanda, PIO & Dy. Registrar; Prof. T. A. Khan. HOD-URDU;
The Appellant had sought information regarding organizing funds for Golden Jubilee Celebrations
of the Urdu Department of the Delhi University on 31/10/2009. The PIO has sought the assistance of Dr.
S. A. Karim then HOD Urdu Department under Section 5(4) of the RTI Act to provide the information.
The information that was provided to the Complainant was that nobody have been approached of funds
and that no funds have been collected for the Golden Jubilee Celebrations at that point in time. The
Complainant had claimed that he was given false information. He has produced before the Commission a
letter written in Urdu by Dr. S. A. Karim then HOD Urdu asking VC, Kashmir University for funds for
the Golden Jubilee Celebrations for a Seminar which is part of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations. This letter
has not date. However, the complainant has also produced a letter no. F(National-Seminar)I.I/KU/09
dated 20/02/2009 sent by Prof B. N. Nahvi, Director Iqbal Institute of Culture and Philosophy, University
of Kashmir which mentions that a cheque no. 15549318 dated 19/02/2009 of Rs.75000/- is being sent for
the Seminar. He has also produced a receipt signed by the then HOD, Urdu acknowledging receipt of the
amount. He therefore contends that he was given false information by the Deemed PIO Dr. S. A. Karim
then HOD Urdu Department.
Decision:
The complaint is allowed.
The deemed PIO Prof. T. A. Khan is directed to provide the correct information as
on the date the information has been provided to the Appellant before 30 July 2011.
The issue before the Commission is of supplying false information by the deemed PIO Dr. S. A.
Karim then HOD Urdu Department.
From the facts before the Commission it appears that the deemed PIO is guilty of not furnishing correct
information. It appears that the PIO’s actions attract the penal provisions of Section 20 (1). A showcause
notice is being issued to him, and he is directed give his reasons to the Commission to show cause why
penalty should not be levied on him.
Dr. S. A. Karim then HOD Urdu Department will present himself before the Commission at the above
address on 10 August 2011 at 4.30pm alongwith his written submissions showing cause why penalty
should not be imposed on him as mandated under Section 20 (1). He will also submit proof of having
given the information to the appellant.
If there are other persons responsible for the delay in providing the information to the Appellant the
PIO is directed to inform such persons of the show cause hearing and direct them to appear before the
Commission with him.
This decision is announced in open chamber.
Notice of this decision be given free of cost to the parties.
Any information in compliance with this Order will be provided free of cost as per Section 7(6) of RTI Act.
Shailesh Gandhi
Information Commissioner
14 July 2011
(In any correspondence on this decision, mention the complete decision number.)(SH)
Copy through Prof. T. A. Khan. HOD-URDU to:
1- Dr. S. A. Karim then HOD Urdu Department;