CENTRAL INFORMATION COMMISSION
Club Building, Opposite Ber Sarai Market,
Old JNU Campus, New Delhi - 110067.
Tel: +91-11-26161796
Decision No. CIC/SG/C/2009/001611/12352
Complaint No. CIC/SG/C/2009/001611
Complainant : Mr. Ruplal Murmu,
Vill-Pokharia, Sanbhundu,
Tiring-757056, Mayurbhanj, Orissa
Respondent : President
Servants of people Society
Lajpat Bahwan, Lajpat Nagar-IV,
New Delhi-110024
Facts
arising from the complaint:
Mr. Ruplal Murmu had filed a RTI application with President, Servants of People
Society, Lajpat Nagar on 28/08/2009 asking for certain information. On not having
received any information within the mandated time the Complainant filed a Complaint
under Section 18 of the RTI Act with the Commission. On this basis, the Commission
issued a notice on 02/12/2009 to both the parties directing them to furnish evidence with
respect to the establishment, control and finance of Servants of People Society, whether
the said organization is a public authority or not for the purpose of the RTI Act, 2005 to
the Commission before 25/12/2009.
The Commission received a letter dated 28/12/2009 from Mr. Prasannvadan
Mehta, Secretary for the Servants of People Society, wherein it has been categorically
stated that Servants of People Society is neither established by the parliament or state
legislature nor by any notification or order made by the appropriate government. It has
also been mentioned that this society is neither being controlled by the Government nor it
is financed directly/indirectly by any Government. Further, the Commission received
three submissions from the Complainant on 27/04/2010, 04/10/2010 & 24/01/2011
alleging that the society received lots of funds from Central as well as State Government,
however no supporting documentary evidence has been submitted by him.
In view of the above stated facts, it is apparent that Servants of People Society,
Lajpat Nagar is not a public authority and as such is not covered under within the
meaning of Section 2(h) of the RTI Act, 2005.
Decision:
The Complaint is disposed off.
Shailesh Gandhi
Information Commissioner
11 May 2011
(For any further correspondence in this matter, please quote the file no. mentioned above)(RA)