In the Central Information Commission
at
New Delhi
File No: CIC/AD/A/2011/000486
Date of Hearing : May 12, 2011
Date of Decision : May 12, 2011
Parties:
Applicant
Shri P.S. Christopher
S/o J. Pauliah Nadar
32, Dason Street
Nazareth
Thoothukudi 628 617
The Applicant was not present during the hearing.
Respondents
The Public Information Officer
Central Railway
O/o the General Manager
Public Information Cell (HQ), CST
Mumbai 400 001
Represented by : Ms.Aradhana, F&CO
NIC Studio, Mumbai
Information Commissioner : Mrs. Annapurna Dixit
___________________________________________________________________
Decision Notice
As given in the decision
In the Central Information Commission
at
New Delhi
File No: CIC/AD/A/2011/000486
ORDER
Background
1. The Applicant filed an RTI Application dt.13.9.10 with the PIO, Central Railway Mumbai seeking his
service record for the period 1.1.1964 to 10.7.1968. Ms.Uma Ranade, PIO replied on 11.10.10
stating that the service record from 1.1.1964 to 10.7.1968 is not available and that as per Appendix IX
– item No.102 of Accounts code, preservation period for service records is 10 years from the date of
removal / dismissal and 5 years after retirement. Not satisfied with the reply, the Applicant filed an
appeal dt.18.10.10 with the Appellate Authority reiterating his request for the information. Shri
S.V.Arya, Appellate Authority replied on 22.11.10 stating that information cannot be provided at this
stage because the same is beyond the preservation period of such records. Being aggrieved with the
reply, the Applicant filed a second appeal dt.20.12.10 before CIC reiterating his request for the
information.
Decision
2. During the hearing, the Respondents reiterated that the copy of service book is not
available since the records being sought being more than 43 years old have been
weeded out several decades ago.
3. The Commission finds the explanation a reasonable cause for not furnishing the information sought
and holds that in the absence of records, the Commission is not in a position to authorize their
disclosure The appeal is rejected and case closed at the Commission’s end.
(Annapurna Dixit)
Information Commissioner
Authenticated true copy
(G.Subramanian)
Deputy Registrar
Cc:
1. Shri P.S. Christopher
S/o J. Pauliah Nadar
32, Dason Street
Nazareth
Thoothukudi 628 617
2. The Public Information Officer
Central Railway
O/o the General Manager
Public Information Cell (HQ), CST
Mumbai 400 001
3. The Appellate Authority
Central Railway
O/o the General Manager
Public Information Cell (HQ), CST
Mumbai 400 001
4. Officer in charge, NIC