Central Information Commission
CIC/AD/A/09/00315
Dated April 23, 2009
Name of the Applicant : Mr.Jagdish Narayan Rai
Name of the Public Authority : BSNL, New Delhi
Background
1. The Applicant filed an RTI application dt.3.6.08 with the CPIO, BSNL, New
Delhi. He requested for information against 9 points related to the use of
both Hindi and English languages in the BSNL offices across the country
during 2007-2008. The CPIO replied on 7.7.08 providing point-wise
information. Not satisfied with the reply, the Applicant filed an appeal
dt.22.9.08 with the Appellate Authority stating that information received is
incomplete and requesting him to provide the complete information by
Registered Post. The Appellate Authority replied on 31.10.08 stating that all
information which is available with the BSNL has been provided to the
Appellant. Aggrieved with this reply, the Applicant filed a second appeal
on.29.12.08 before CIC stating that the information provided is irrelevant and
incomplete and that the penalty should be imposed on the CPIO.
2. The Bench of Mrs. Annapurna Dixit, Information Commissioner, scheduled the
hearing for April 23, 2009.
3. Mr. Joginder Singh, AGM(RTI) & APIO, Mr. Rajendra Prasad, AGM(CSS) and
Mr. A.K. Singhal, DM represented the Public Authority.
4. The Applicant was not present during the hearing.
Decision
5. The Respondent submitted that the Appellant has been seeking similar
information through various RTIs and that he has been requested to inspect
all relevant files vide an earlier CIC Decision NO.2297/IC(A)/2008, dt.
30.4.2008 file No.CIC/MA/A/2008/00211 so that required information can be
provided to him. In the present case, he averred that the information sought
is voluminous since the Appellant is seeking all kinds of documentation
including letters, memos, circulars, communication with other departments,
office memorandums etc. in both English and Hindi not only from the BSNL
Corporate office in Delhi but also from offices of BSNL across the country for
the year 2007-08. Besides this, the Appellant has also requested for
information on whether all forms of post paid and prepaid connections have
been converted into both Hindi and English language across the country. On
perusal of the information sought, the Commission observed that with regard
to points 1 to 5, the process of gathering such voluminous information would
result in disproportionate diversion of resources of the Public Authority. In
view of this, the Commission advises the Appellant to cut down on the
number of queries and to be more specific about the information he wants so
that the information can easily be provided to him. The Appellant is
accordingly advised to file a fresh RTI application. With regard to points 6,7,8
and 9, the CPIO is directed to provide information within 20 days of issue of
this Order.
6. The appeal is disposed off.
(Annapurna Dixit)
Information Commissioner
Authenticated true copy:
(G.Subramanian)
Asst. Registrar
Cc:
1. Mr.Jagdish Narayan Rai
B-32/50A
Naria Saket Nagar
Near Plot No.30
Varanasi 221 005
2. Mr.Suresh Kumar
The CPIO &
Jt.DDG (MIS-II)
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited
Corporate Office
5th Floor, A-Wing
Statesman House
Barakhambha Road
New Delhi
3. Mr.N.K.Narang
The Appellate Authority &
DDG (MIS)
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited
Corporate Office
5th Floor, A-Wing
Statesman House
Barakhambha Road
New Delhi
4. Officer in charge, NIC
5. Press E Group, CIC