Central Information Commission
CIC/AD/A/09/00300
Dated April 20, 2009
Name of the Applicant : Mr.D.Sivaraju
Name of the Public Authority : Dept. of Post, Coimbatore
Background
1. The Applicant filed an RTI application dt.31.10.08 (copy not in file) with the
CPIO, DoP, Coimbatore. He requested for the following information:
i) No. of sanctioned posts for the following categories in Coimbatore
Postal Divn
a) Mail Overseer b) Cash Overseer c) Sorting Postman & d) Head
Post man and the departmental qualifications to hold the post
ii) No. of officials now working in each of the above category and whether
they possess the requisite departmental qualification
iii) No. of posts kept vacant in each of the above category.
The CPIO replied on 14.11.08 providing the requisite information with regard
to point (i). Not satisfied with the reply, the Applicant filed an appeal
dt.5.12.08 (copy not in file) with the Appellate Authority. The Appellate
Authority replied on 5.1.09 providing further information. Aggrieved with the
reply, the Applicant filed a second appeal dt.7.2.09 before CIC.
2. The Bench of Mrs. Annapurna Dixit, Information Commissioner, scheduled the
hearing for April 20, 2009.
3. Mr.G.Gurunathan, SSPOs & CPIO represented the Public Authority.
4. The Applicant was not present during the hearing.
Decision
5. The Respondent submitted that Mr.Thangarajan who is a postman and also a
sportsperson(weightlifting) had requested for transfer to another post which
would give him time to practice weightlifting. Based on the request, the PMG
transferred him as Sorting Postman, without any additional remuneration.
The Appellant is aggrieved at this transfer of Mr.Thangarajan, and has
requested for the information as sought in the RTI application. The
Respondent further stated that he provided the information with regard to the
sanctioned strength, working strength and the vacancies of different
categories including a) Mail Overseer b) Cash Overseer c) Sorting Postman
& d) Head Post man. The Respondent added that the departmental
qualifications to hold these posts is Postmen who have got TBOP/BCR in their
cadre and that all the officials holding these posts are possessing the requisite
departmental qualifications. The Respondents then stated that in his first
appeal the Appellant had raised an issue regarding Mr.Thangarajan not having
the TBOP qualification and that this issue was not in his original application
dt.31.10.08. He also clarified that the promotion of Mr.Thangarajan to the
post of Sorting Postman is not correct as already intimated to the Appellant in
the Appellate Authority’s Order. The Respondent clarified that
Mr.Thangarajan was only given this post as a special case in view of the fact
that he is a good sportsman. He then produced the Order of PMG dt.6.7.94
stating that Mr.Thangarajan was a winner of gold and silver medals in sports
events, and that DPS desires that Mr.Thangarajan be considered for posting
as Sorting Postman as many BCR/TBOP are not willing to work as Sorting
Postman. These documents, according to the Respondent, have already been
shared with the Appellant.
6. Since all available information has been provided to the Appellant, the appeal
is rejected.
(Annapurna Dixit)
Information Commissioner
Authenticated true copy:
(G.Subramanian)
Asst. Registrar
Cc:
1. Mr.D.Sivaraju
3/234 A S Nagar
Pattanam
Ondipudur (via)
Coimbatore 641 016
2. Mr.G.Gurunathan
The CPIO &
Sr. Supdt. of Post Offices
Department of Post
Coimbatore Division
Coimbatore 641 001
3. Mr.Mervin Alexander
The Appellate Authority &
Director Postal Services
Department of Post
O/o Post Master General
Western Region, TN
Coimbatore 641 002
4. Officer in charge, NIC
5. Press E Group, CIC