Central Information Commission
CIC/AD/A/09/00147
Dated March 20, 2009
Name of the Applicant : Dr.Parveen Gupta
Name of the Public Authority : Press Council of India
Background
1. The Applicant filed an RTI request dt.10.7.08 with the CPIO, Press Council of
India. He requested for information against 8 points including how the
newspaper publishers are working; whether the identity cards are under the
control of police; how are publishers and editors responsible if a reporter put
a (Press) label/plate on his car; whether there is any provision for issuing
guidelines in the newspapers regarding issue of identity cards; whether any
rule exists regarding putting up a plate or sticker on ones vehicle etc. The
CPIO replied on 20.8.08 stating that information against points 1 to 4 and 7 &
8 are not related to the Press Council of India and that they are providing
information against Points 5 and 6. On 20.8.08, the CPIO again wrote to the
Appellant informing him that the application has been transferred to
concerned authorities for information against remaining points. On not
receiving any reply from the other authorities, the applicant filed an appeal
dt.26.9.08 with the Appellate Authority. On not receiving any reply from the
FAA, he filed a second appeal dt.29.12.08 before CIC.
2. The Bench of Mrs. Annapurna Dixit, Information Commissioner, scheduled the
hearing for March 20, 2009.
3. Ms. Vibha Bhargava, Secretary & Appellate Authority, Mr. Kunwar Singh, Dy.
Secretary & PIO and Mr. Khema Nand, S.O. represented the Public Authority.
4. The Appellant was not present during the hearing.
Decision
5. The Respondent submitted that only Points No.5 & 6 relate to the Press
Council of India. They stated that the issue raised by the Appellant relates to
misuse of Identity cards by journalists and that in the year 1999 the Press
Council of India had given instructions to the state governments to check the
misuse of identity cards and to set up a committee to formulate guidelines at
the state level to check the misuse of identity cards. They further stated that
with regard to Point No.6, relevant provisions of the Act have been conveyed
to the Appellant. For information against the remaining points they had
transferred the RTI application to Secretary, Ministry of I&B; Registrar, RNI
and the Police Commissioner, Delhi Police on 6.11.09. The Respondents also
stated they had also sent reminders to these authorities on 2.2.09. After
taking note of the submission put forth by the Respondents and reviewing the
information already provided, the Commission holds that all available
information has been given to the Appellant. The Commission also directs the
CPIO, Ministry of I&B; CPIO, RNI; and CPIO, Delhi Police to provide the
information against points relevant to them, which have already been
indicated to them by the Press Council of India, within 20 days of receipt of
this Order.
6. The appeal is disposed off.
(Annapurna Dixit)
Information Commissioner
Authenticated true copy:
(K.G.Nair)
Designated Officer
Cc:
1. Dr.Parveen Gupta
Bu-54, SFS Flats
Pitam Pura
Delhi 110 034
2. The CPIO
Press Council of India
Soochana Bhawan
8-CGO Complex
Lodhi Road
New Delhi 110 003
3. The CPIO,
Ministry of I&B,
Shastri Bhavan,
‘A’ Wing,
New Delhi
4. The CPIO,
Registrar of Newspapers for India(RNI)
West Block No.8, Wing No.2
R.K. Puram,
New Delhi
5. The CPIO,
Delhi Police,
Police Headquarters,
I.P. Estate,
New Delhi-110002
6. The Appellate Authority
Press Council of India
Soochana Bhawan
8-CGO Complex
Lodhi Road
New Delhi 110 003
7. Officer in charge, NIC
8. Press E Group, CIC