Central Information Commission
CIC/AD/A/2010/000119
Dated 25th March, 2010
Name of the Applicant : MR. PARMANAND SHARMA
Name of the Public Authority : N C RAILWAY, ALLAHABAD
Background
1. The Applicant filed his RTI request on 10.07.09 with the PIO, GM Office, N C Railway,
Allahabad seeking information against 11 points related to facilities for passengers at
the Chola station including drinking water, lighting at the station etc. The PIO
replied on 19.08.09 providing the information against point 1, 2, 3, 9, 10, 11. With
regard to the remaining points he added that he had sent the application to the Sr.
Divisional Electrical Engineer for furnishing a reply directly to the Applicant. Not
satisfied with the reply the Applicant filed his First Appeal on 01.09.09 commenting on
the information provided by the PIO against each point. The Appellate Authority
replied on 09.10.09 providing further clarification against each point and also
enclosing reply provided by the Sr. DEE against 5 points which were left out earlier.
Still not satisfied with the reply, the Applicant filed his Second Appeal before the
Commission stating that information provided is incomplete and misleading.
2. The Bench of Mrs. Annapurna Dixit, Information Commissioner scheduled the
hearing for 25th March, 2010 through video conferencing.
3. Mr. Mudit Chandra, PIO and Mr.S. Kumar, Sr.D.E.E. were present at NIC studio,
Allahabad.
4. The Complainant was present during the hearing.
Decision
5. The Complainant submitted that the reply provided by the PIO regarding provision of
lights at the station is totally incorrect since there is no electrical wiring on the
platform. The Respondent, however, stated that he is quite certain that the electrical
connections and bulbs are functioning at the station. In view of the Respondent’s
hesitation in confirming the presence of electric bulbs at the station, the Commission,
with the powers conferred on it under Section 18(2) of the RTI Act directs the PIO to
conduct an enquiry into the matter related to the lighting at the said station and also
to clarify the inconsistency in the replies provided by the PIO and Appellate Authority
against point 1 regarding hand pump water. Against point 2 a copy of the relevant
rules to be provided,. Against points 7, 9, 11 available information to be provided to
the Complainant. The Commission holds that information sought against point 10 is
not as per the definition of information given in 2(f) of the RTI Act, 2005. All
information to be provided by 25.04.10.
6. The Commission also directs the PIO, GM office, North Central Railway,
Allahabad to show cause why a penalty of Rs.250/- per day (maximum Rs.25,000/-
should not be imposed on him for not transferring the RTI application to the PIO of the
concerned department within the mandatory period of 5 days. The explanation should
reach the Commission by 25.04.10.
(Annapurna Dixit)
Information Commissioner
Authenticated true copy:
(G. Subramanian)
Deputy Registrar
Cc:
1. Mr. Parmanand Sharma
Village – Rasulpur Rithori
Post – Rasulpur
Rithori
Distt – Bulandshar
Uttar Pradesh – 203 202.
2. The PIO
North Central Railway
Divisional Railway Manager’s Office
Allahabad Division
Allahabad.
3. The Appellate Authority
North Central Railway
Divisional Railway Manager’s Office
Allahabad Division
Allahabad.
4. The PIO,
GM office,
North Central Railway,
Allahabad.
5. Officer in charge, NIC 6 .Press E Group, CIC