Central Information Commission
CIC/AD/A/X/09/00096
Dated February 5, 2009
Name of the Appellant : Mr.Y.V.Singh
Name of the Public Authority : Telecom Engineering Centre, DoT
Background
1. The Appellant filed an RTI request dt.9.6.08 with the CPIO,
Telecommunication Engineering Centre. He requested for information against
5 points with regard to Shri R.B.Srivastava, ADG who was asked to look after
charge of Dir.(A) and was further designated as Dir (A). The Appellant also
requested information against 15 points with regard to purchase procedure
and information against 4 points with regard to sanction of posts. The APIO
replied on 7.7.08 stating that huge information cannot be provided in a short
period as these information are available in 65 files and it will take at least 2
months. The APIO directed the Appellant to pay Rs.50,000 or alternately he
can come to office inspect the record and collect the information. The
Appellant filed an appeal dt.16.7.08 with the Appellate Authority. In his
appeal, the Appellant stated that information sought is mostly contained in
tables which are compulsory and regularly maintained by any MM Section. He
also stated that since the CPIO has not provided the information within the
prescribed time limit, he is entitled to the said information free of charge as
per section 7(6) of the RTI Act. The Appellate Authority replied on 11.8.08
directing the Appellant to appear on 20.8.08 to which the Appellant did not
turn up and he was once again requested to appear on 3.9.08. The Appellant
filed a second appeal dt.20.11.08 before CIC. In his appeal, the Appellant
stated that he did not ask for inspection of records and has sought
information which are compulsory and regularly maintained by any purchase
division.
2. The Bench of Mrs. Annapurna Dixit, Information Commissioner, scheduled the
hearing on February 5, 2009.
3. Mr. Ramesh Chandra, CPIO and Director and Ms. Sushma Chopra, ADG
represented the Public Authority.
4. The Appellant was not present during the hearing.
Decision
5. The CPIO submitted that after receiving a copy of the 2nd appeal, he had
invited the appellant vide letter dated 11.12.08 to visit the office, inspect the
files and take whatever information he required. However, the appellant did
not respond to his invitation. The CPIO also stated that he joined as CPIO in
August, 2008. He stated that when tried to locate all the files containing the
information sought by the appellant, he was informed that one file was
missing and that efforts are being made to locate it. The Commission noted
that the appellant has asked information against 24 points with many sub
questions under each point, the information against which is spread in more
than 60 files of the office, and holds that compiling such voluminous
information would lead to disproportionate diversion of resources of the Public
Authority. The Commission, accordingly, directs the appellant to prioritise his
questions and cut down the number to 8 questions so that information can be
provided easily. This new set of questions is to be sent to the CPIO within 10
days of receipt of this Order and the CPIO to provide the information within
15 days of receiving the new set of questions. Where required, the appellant
to be allowed to inspect the files and be provided with certified copies of
information on prescribed amount of photocopying fee. The appellant is free
to file more RTI request for the remaining information.
6. The appeal is disposed off.
(Annapurna Dixit)
Information Commissioner
Authenticated true copy:
(K.G.Nair)
Designated Officer
Cc:
1. Mr.Y.V.Singh
C/o Master Dhani Ram
R/o H.No.51-B, VPO Bhawan
Delhi 110 039
2. The CPIO
Telecom Engineering Centre
Department of Telecommunications
Khurshid Lal Bhawan
Janpath, New Delhi 110 001
3. The Appellate Authority
Telecom Engineering Centre
Department of Telecommunications
Khurshid Lal Bhawan
Janpath, New Delhi 110 001
4. Officer in charge, NIC
5. Press E Group, CIC