Central Information Commission
*****
CIC/AD/A/2009/001166
Dated October 6, 2009
Name of the Applicant : Shri Ahemar Vakar
Name of the Public Authority : RPO, Lucknow
Background
1. The Applicant filed an RTI application dt.25.3.09 with the CPIO, RPO,
Lucknow. He requested for information regarding his passport
application submitted on 30.6.08. He wanted to know the status and
when he will get the passport. The PIO replied on 7.5.09 stating that the
application was registered in the passport office on 30.6.08 and that
personal particulars forms were sent for police verification on 10.7.08.
He added that adverse police report was received and entered in the
computer records on 19.12.08. However, details were again requested
from Police, Azamgarh on 21.1.09 and the report is awaited. Not
satisfied with the reply, the Applicant filed an appeal dt.8.6.09 with the
Appellate Authority stating that he had not received complete
information and reiterating his request for the information. The
Appellate Authority replied on 30.6.09 upholding the decision of the
CPIO. Being aggrieved with the decision, the Applicant filed a second
appeal dt.30.7.09 before the CIC.
2. The Bench of Mrs. Annapurna Dixit, Information Commissioner, scheduled
the hearing for October 6, 2009.
3. Shri P.Roy Chaudhuri, Advocate representing CPIO represented the Public
Authority.
4. The Applicant was heard through audio conference .
Decision
5. The Respondent submitted that a clear police verification report in
respect of the Appellant was received on 5.6.09 and a passport bearing
No.H5530735 dt.3.8.09 has already been issued and dispatched to him
vide speedpost on 13.8.09. The Appellant, who was heard over the
phone, admitted to having received the passport. He however stated
that there was inordinate delay in issuing the passport The Commission
takes this opportunity to reiterate what has been said in several earlier
Orders that there should be better coordination between the Ministry of
External Affairs (Passport Office) and the Ministry of Home Affairs
(Police) so that the police verification does not take more than 3
months. It has been noted by the Commission that in several cases police
verification has taken two years and even more.
6. The Commission holds that the grievance of the Appellant has been
redressed and accordingly disposes off the appeal.
(Annapurna Dixit)
Information Commissioner
Authenticated true copy:
(G. Subramanian)
Asst. Registrar
Cc:
1. Shri Ahemar Vakar
S/o Shri Vakar Ahmad
Village – Mirzapur
Post – Devgaon
Tehsil – Lalgunj
Azamgarh
2. The CPIO
Regional Passport Office
Nav Chetna Kendra
10 Ashok Marg
Lucknow 226 001
3. The Appellate Authority
M/o External Affairs
R.No.20, Patiala House Annexe
Tilak Marg
New Delhi
4. Officer incharge, NIC
5. Press E Group, CIC