Central Information Commission
CIC/AD/A/2009/001548
Dated: 14 January 2010
Name of the Appellant : Shri M Kumar,
Name of Public Authority : Indian Railway Catering
& Tourism Corpn., New Delhi.
Background
1. The Applicant filed his RTI application on 06.10.08 with the CPO, Indian Railway
Catering & Tourism Corn., New Delhi requesting for information about number of
licensees of catering contractors under the control of the IRCTC who have not yet
cleared their dues, with their names and amounts till date. The PIO replied on
14.10.08 informing him that presently IRCTC is dealing with approximately 9000
catering units all over Indian Railways. Therefore, information regarding outstanding
dues, names and amount of each licensee are required to be collected from IRCTC
Zonal Offices and it will take time to provide the information. In response to this letter
the Applicant wrote to the PIO on 10.11.08 requesting for information about the
number of days it will take to provide the information and also for information about
licensee who are directly connected to the corporate office besides IRCTC Zonal
offices. The CPIO replied to this letter on 12.12.08 informing the Applicant that
collecting the information would take time and that his second query is not clear. He
also requested the Applicant to visit the office for further clarification. The PIO once
again on 02.03.09 invited the Applicant to visit the office and inspect the files for the
information regarding dues against catering contractors as the information is
voluminous in nature. Not satisfied with this response, the Applicant filed his first
Appeal on 20.05.09 informing the Appellate Authority that he has been informed that
information would be given in 3 days and that till date no information has been
received. The PIO replied in place of the Appellate Authority on 26.05.09 informing
the Applicant that he has been advised to give 3 days notice to visit the office, so as to
arrange documents for inspections and the date 05.06.09 was fixed for the inspection.
Regarding AC car which the Applicant had requested for the visit to the office for
inspection, the PIO requested to pay charges Rs. 800/-. Being aggrieved with reply,
the Applicant filed his Second appeal before the Commission on 14.08.09 requesting
for the information once again.
2. The Bench of Mrs. Annapurna Dixit, Information Commissioner, heard the matter for
January 14, 2010.
3. Efforts were made to contact the Appellant over the phone but the contact could not
be established even after ringing him up 4 to 5 times.
4. Mr. Virender, Singh, Manager represented the Public Authority.
Decision
5. The Respondent submitted that the delay in providing the information was due to the
fact that the information had to be collected from different Zonal offices and that
whatever has been made available by the Zonal can now be furnished. The
Commission accordingly directs the PIO to provide complete information to the
Appellant by 10 February, 2010.
6. The appeal is accordingly disposed off.
Annapurna Dixit)
Information Commissioner
Authenticated true copy:
(G. Subramanian)
Dy. Registrar
Cc:
1. Shri M. Kumar,
C/o Mr. M.L. Chawla,
Kothi No. 321, 2nd Floor,
Rajdhani Enclave,
Pitampura, Delhi-110034.
2. The Public Information Officer,
Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corpn.
9th Floor, Bank of Baroda Bldg.
16, parliament Street,
New Delhi.
3. The Appellate Authority,
Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corpn.
9th Floor, Bank of Baroda Bldg.
16, parliament Street,
New Delhi.
4. Officer incharge, NIC
5. Press E Group, CIC