Central Information Commission
CIC/AD/C/08/00171
Dated March 19, 2009
Name of the Applicant : Mr.Mohd. Aajam Ansari
Name of the Public Authority : Regional Passport Office, Lucknow
Background
1. The Applicant filed an RTI request dt.25.7.08 with the CPIO, RPO, Lucknow.
He requested for the following information:
i) What is the reason for not issuing passport to him for more than 3
months after he submitted the application form on 10.4.08
ii) Copy of the police verification report
iii) Why Passport application form cannot be issued in Hindi
The APIO, Lucknow replied on 25.8.08 stating that the RTI fee has not
been deposited through the correct mode and therefore the RTI application is
incomplete. The Applicant then wrote on 3.9.08 stating that he has not been
informed about how he should deposit the money and requesting the APIO to
inform him within 15 days about the mode of deposit of the RTI fee. The
APIO, Lucknow replied on 17.9.08 informing him about the correct way to pay
the RTI fee. The Applicant responded on 22.9.08 sending once again the
required amount of fee to the correct mode. The APIO replied on 27.10.08
informing the Applicant that information has already been provided to him
vide letters dated 25.8.08 and 17.9.08. He also stated that as per the
computer records the passport application form was deposited in the passport
office on 10.4.08 and that the form was sent for police verification on
25.4.08. On 5.8.08 an adverse police verification against the Applicant was
received in the Passport office because of which the passport could not
issued. The APIO then requested the Applicant to pay the required amount of
fees for copies of documents he required. He also stated that the passport
application form was available in Hindi. Not satisfied with the reply, the
applicant filed a complaint dt.23.12.08 before the CIC.
2. The Bench of Mrs. Annapurna Dixit, Information Commissioner, scheduled the
hearing for March 19, 2009.
3. Mr. P. Roy Chaudhuri, Advocate for RPO, Lucknow represented the Public
Authority.
4. The Complainant was not present during the hearing.
Decision
5. After hearing the submission put forth by the Respondent, the Commission
advises the Complainant to pay the required amount of fee for the copies of
documents he requires and directs the CPIO to provide the information within
15 days of receipt of fee from the Complainant.
6. The appeal is disposed off.
(Annapurna Dixit)
Information Commissioner
Authenticated true copy:
(K.G.Nair)
Designated Officer
Cc:
1. Mr.Mohd. Aajam Ansari
S/o Mr.Makbul Ahmed
Vill – Babuganj
Post – Balipur (Dwarikaganj)
Thana-Gosaiganj
Tahsil – Sadar
District – Sultanpur
2. The CPIO
Regional Passport Office
Ministry of External Affairs
Nav Chetna Kendra
10 Ashok Marg
Lucknow 226 001
3. Officer in charge, NIC
4. Press E Group, CIC