In the Central Information Commission
at
New Delhi
File No: CIC/AD/C/2011/001080
Date of Decision : Oct 12, 2011
Parties:
Complainant
1. Mr. S A Khan
S/o Mr. M A Khan
Novodaya Vidyalaya
Sonbarshaghat
Khagaria, Bihar - 851 201
2. Mr. M A Khan
Retd. Chief Controller,
Sakarwar Mohalla,
Vill & PO Bara,
District Ghazipur - 232 325,
UP
Respondent
CPIO,
Office of the Chief Medical Officer,
Railway Hospital,
Mughalsarai
Information Commissioner(s) : Mrs. Annapurna Dixit
_______________________________________________________________
Decision Notice
In the Central Information Commission
at
New Delhi
File No: CIC/AD/C/2011/001080
Background
1. The Applicant filed an RTI application dated 07.02.2011 seeking information about
reimbursement that can be claimed by his father, Sh. M A Khan, on account of being a Retd.
Railway employee, documents required to be submitted in order to claim such reimbursement
and also format, if any, of such documents. The PIO/ Chief Medical Superintendent responded
vide communication dated 18.02.2011 providing point wise information stating that if the
Applicant’s father was eligible to claim reimbursement if he possessed the employee health
scheme card. It was further stated that the documentation required and format etc. were available
on the internet as also in the office where RELHS Card is registered for treatment.
2. The records indicate that the Applicant’s father subsequently submitted his documents including
medical bills etc. alongwith covering letter dated 18.03.2011 before the Chief Medical
Superintendent for the purpose of processing of his claim. Upon non receipt of any response, the
Applicant’s father filed another RTI application dated 23.04.2011 which was resent on
30.04.2011. By a letter dated 04.05.2011, the Chief Medical Superintendent, Mughalsarai
responded that there is no PIO nor any such post existent in the office.
3. Aggrieved with the response of the PIO, the Applicant approached the Central Information
Commission with the instant Complaint dated 19.05.2011. The Complainant reiterated his RTI
request rebutting the contentions of the Chief Medical Superintendent.
Decision
4. At the very outset, the Commission notes that the same Chief Medical Superintendent has
responded differently on both the RTI applications of the Applicant and his father. While the
queries raised by the son were addressed, in case of responding to the Father’s application, the
same person (the identity being affirmed from the similar signatures) denied that any post of PIO
exists in the Mughalsarai office. The Commission seeks explanation from the Chief Medical
Superintendent, Railway Hospital, Mughalsarai about such contradictory replies. The
Commission further directs the Chief Medical Superintendent to ensure that the information as
sought by the Applicant NO. 2 is furnished and his claim for medical reimbursement expeditiously
processed. The process/es to be completed and explanation to Commission to be sent by 30th
Nov 2011.
5. The case is disposed on the above terms.
(Annapurna Dixit)
Information Commissioner
Authenticated true copy:
(G.Subramanian)
Deputy Registrar
Cc:
1. Mr. S A Khan
S/o Mr. M A Khan
Novodaya Vidyalaya
Sonbarshaghat
Khagaria, Bihar – 851 201
2. Mr. M A Khan
Retd. Chief Controller,
Sakarwar Mohalla,
Vill & PO Bara,
District Ghazipur – 232 325,
UP
3. CPIO,
Office of the Chief Medical Officer,
Railway Hospital,
Mughalsarai
4. Officer in Charge, NIC