Central Information Commission
CIC/AD/A/09/00116
Dated February 16, 2009
Name of the Applicant : Mr.Chamaraj Bangi
Name of the Public Authority : All India Radio, Bangalore
Background
1. The Applicant filed an RTI request dt.18.5.07 with the CPIO, AIR, Bangalore.
He requested for information against 9 points with regard to one Mr.
K.R.Prahalada, Service rules and conduct code governing IIS officials posted
in AIR, provisions of AIR manual and other regulations governing service
conditions of IIS men working in AIR, AIR’s monitoring mechanism over news
coverage and dispatches of IIS men in AIR. The CPIO replied on 25.5.07
informing the applicant that the Postal Order of Rs.10/0 has not been
enclosed and requested him to send the same. The CPIO on the directions of
the Appellate Authority replied on 20.6.07 asking the appellant to pay Rs.4/-
for copies of information sought. The Applicant filed an appeal dt.25.6.07
with the Appellate Authority stating that he has been asked to send Rs. 4/-
for supply of documents and that this is an attempt to discourage information
seekers. The Appellate Authority replied on 20.7.07 stating that part of the
information regarding Mr. Prahalada, is not available as per the records since
the latter was not working with the Regional News Unit, AIR, Bangalore
during the period 19.3.03 to 25.9.05. Hence, AIR Bangalore is not aware of
the events supposed to have happened on 9.5.03, 11.6.03 and 11.11.03. He
further stated that the matter was referred to DG (News), NSD, AIR, New
Delhi. The CPIO, DG (News) directly responded to the Appellant providing him
the information that he was seeking vide letter dated 7.12.07. Not satisfied
with the reply, the Applicant filed a second appeal dt.26.8.08 before CIC.
2. The Bench of Mrs. Annapurna Dixit, Information Commissioner, scheduled the
hearing for February 16, 2009.
3. Mrs. H.S. Saraswati, Asstt. Station Director represented the Public Authority.
4. The Applicant was not present during the hearing.
Decision
5. The Respondent submitted that AIR Bangalore is only the forwarding
authority and that the competent authority to provide all concerned papers,
file notings, correspondence etc. is the DG(News) at Delhi. She also stated
that the CPIO, DG (News) has already provided all available information
sought by the appellant and shared the same with the Commission.
6. The Commission noted that the CPIO, AIR Bangalore had requested the
Appellant to deposit Rs.28/- for xerox copies of the information and that the
same has not been deposited till date. Accordingly, the Commission advises
the Appellant to deposit the required amount of money for the information
and directs CPIO, AIR, Bangalore to provide the information within 10 days of
receipt of the money.
7. The appeal is disposed off.
(Annapurna Dixit)
Information Commissioner
Authenticated true copy:
(K.G.Nair)
Designated Officer
Cc:
1. Mr.Chamaraj Bangi
No.9, Ghorpade lay out
Behind Banashankari Nagar
Dharwad 580 008
2. The CPIO &
The Station Director
All India Radio
Bangalore
3. The Appellate Authority &
Deputy Director General
All India Radio
Bangalore
4. Officer in charge, NIC
5. Press E Group, CIC